GGC0942 Third Sector Support to Shared Care

The Drugs Death Task Force (DDTF) was formed in 2019 to tackle the rising number of drug deaths in Scotland. The Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standard subgroup was formed as part of the DDTF work.

It published 10 MAT Standards in 2021. MAT Standard 7 states that all people should have the option of MAT shared with Primary Care.

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is one of the most effective interventions to support people to reduce their use of street drugs and the harms they are suffering. MAT is the use of prescribed medication, delivered with psychological and social support to reduce drug harms, the risk of drug death and promote recovery.

Joint working between health and social care, primary care and specialist drug treatment services is a key feature of effective treatment partnerships. There is an aging population of people who use drugs, many with co-morbid underlying health conditions, who would benefit from MAT delivery in primary care where their wider health and care needs could be met.

Joint working between health and social care, primary care and specialist drug treatment services is a key feature of effective treatment partnerships. There is an aging population of people who use drugs, many with co-morbid underlying health conditions, who would benefit from MAT delivery in primary care where their wider health and care needs could be met.

GP enhanced services are primary medical services other than essential services. GPs have the option to offer these services to their community of patients or not.

Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Service (GADRS) work in partnership with GPs to provide an Enhanced Service Shared Care approach to the safe and effective delivery of MAT as part of a recovery orientated system of care (ROSC). Glasgow currently has 139 GP practices.

Approximately 84 (60%) of these currently provide a shared care enhanced service to around 1000 patients. This number is at an all-time low and there is an aspiration to significantly increase the number of patients, and GP practices during the term of the contract.

In 2023, a collaborative piece of work between GADRS, Primary Care and partners was undertaken to review shared care services in Glasgow. A new model of support has been developed to commission a third sector organisation co-delivering MAT within Primary Care, supported by a dedicated Primary Care Facilitation Team (PCFT).

The third sector team will deliver community recovery support to individuals prescribed MAT within primary care, as part of the enhanced shared care service, who typically have low to medium support needs. People with high support needs and greater levels of risk would normally be supported by specialist drug treatment services, namely GADRS.

The third sector team will support all shared care patients to meet their wider recovery needs and contribute to the ongoing development of recovery-oriented systems of care in Glasgow. The third sector team will be person-centred and trauma-informed, keeping people safe and free from harm.

They will use strength-based assessments and activities, taking account of people’s recovery capital. They will use integrated interventions and link in with services that are responsive to a person’s needs and beliefs and promote asset and capacity building.

They will be inclusive of family and significant others and be connected to the local community. They will support people holistically, taking into account individualised needs such as health and wellbeing, housing, finance, employability, and education support.

The last few years have been challenging for all involved in the delivery of shared care enhanced services. We have a great opportunity now to offer equitable support to all.

The third sector team will support all shared care practices and will be accessible, accountable and have effective lines of communication with GPs. There is an opportunity to engage and retain more people in treatment with a robust model of care in the community. Increased engagement and retention in MAT could help address overall health and wellbeing of people and families whilst offering a real opportunity to reduce drug related harms and deaths in communities.