Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Public Health

The report of the Director of Public Health outlined the new proposals for drug and alcohol treatment in response to the additional funding being received by Leeds, from the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant, split over the next three years.

The item was introduced by the Health Improvement Principal and outlined how the funding for 2022/23 would  be targeted at key interventions based on the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) prescribed areas. Proposals include areas such as increased strategic leadership; Enhanced prevention, treatment and recovery provision; increase in residential alcohol detox and / or rehabilitation capacity within Leeds and Integrating and improving care pathways between criminal justice settings and treatment. It was also noted that Forward Leeds, the integrated drug and alcohol service, had received an outstanding CQC rating and currently had the capacity to support three 3500 people at any time, of any age.

The Board received an overview of the ten key intervention areas identified through the planning documents associated with the funding and the guidance for local delivery partners on how the funding should be spent including, revisions to the local performance framework, delivery plans and staffing.

The Board discussed the following matters:

-  The proposals link to crime prevention in relation to violence and drugs which serves the ambition and duty of the service and partnership arrangements.

-  The first meeting of the Drug & Alcohol Partnership Board is arranged for November 2022 and the suggestion that a representative from the probation service would be an appropriate appointment was noted.

-  Noting the intention for an update to be presented to the HWB in 2023 the Board requested that a representative from relevant partners including Forward Leeds team be invited to attend to provide with feedback regarding the approach and effectiveness of the plan

-  Prevention is better than cure was the favoured approach and members were supportive of the new proposed methods of engagement through working with schools and festivals and the detailed digital campaigns. Targeted engagement with younger people will assist with reducing the overall number of people needing help for the future which will allow more funding to be spent on treating current patients.

-  As funding will be spread out over three years it was deemed necessary to consult and review the plans to identify gaps in service provision, for example the service will aim to reach those less likely to access it, older people with less visible issues and also through different methods, including street advocacy teams, early help hubs and a greater amount of specialists within the team.

-  In response to a comment that historically drug support received greater investment even though people often struggle with drug and alcohol problems together, the Board received assurance the funding will be spread equally over drug and alcohol support.

In conclusion the Board commended Forward Leeds and St Anne’s recovery on the success of their service provision. The Board noted the service was working well at targeting inequalities, being an approachable service, which helped reduce the stigma attached to of reaching out for help and also worked well with the emergency services to provide good care of patients.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the update on the additional funding being received, by Leeds, from the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant be noted.

b)  That the proposal for the new Drug and Alcohol Partnership and governance arrangements including the relationship to the HWB be endorsed.

c)  That the findings of the drug and alcohol needs assessment and updated Drug and Alcohol Strategy and revised action plan be presented to the HWB in 2023.