CRC Commissioning services to reduce drug related deaths

Over the last ten years, there has been increasing concern at the rising numbers of preventable drug related deaths. Many drug-related deaths can be prevented by commissioning and providing a baseline of quality services that are evidence-based and responsive to local need. The aim is to provide treatment through integrated care pathways across all four treatment tiers that are as seamless as possible, as indicated in Models of care (NTA 2002). The establishment of effective interfaces between services across all tiers of service provision requires communication and collaboration between services. Central to this are joint commissioning of services, common assessment /referral protocols that are appropriate to each tier and the establishment of robust service level agreements.

(Published February 2007, 12 pages)