DRUG users in the Whitby area are receiving effective treatment but there are still key areas for improvement, claims a new report.
The Healthcare Commission – the watchdog which compiled the report – is calling for a continued drive to improve drug addiction treatment and to ensure services are delivered consistently across the country.
Services provided by North Yorkshire an
d York Primary Care Trust (PCT) were rated as “fair” but still ranked near the bottom of the national table at 128th out of 152 trusts.
The trust received a total score of 24. The highest-scoring primary care trust was North Tees with 38 while the lowest was Peterborough with 18.
Trusts were branded as “excellent”, “good” or “fair” – none received the lowest rating, “weak”.
Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, says: “As the UK has one of the highest recorded drug-related death rates in Europe, it is a clear national priority to minimise the impact of substance misuse.
“It’s very encouraging that thousands more people are now getting the treatment they need.”
A spokesman for the North Yorkshire and York PCT said: “The PCT has already taken steps to adopt the recommendations made by the report to further develop services for people who require treatment for substance misuse.
“The PCT hosts the North Yorkshire and City of York Drug and Alcohol Action Teams (DAAT) on behalf of the DAAT partners.
“Key partners include police, probation, health and local authorities.
“Examples of the work undertaken by the DAAT in 2007/08 include enhanced service pro-vision for rural areas and an alcohol strategy – which will be further developed during 2008/09.
“The PCT will continue to work closely with the Healthcare Commission and all partners to ensure the needs of substance misusers are met across the county.”
The full article contains 302 words and appears in Whitby Gazette Friday newspaper.
