The Provision of Drug & Alcohol Prescribing - Criminal Justice Services

The Health Board is commissioning an interim clinical drug and alcohol treatment service to support adults in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who require prescribing interventions, including those within the criminal justice system. The service will deliver safe, evidence‑based opioid substitution therapy and alcohol treatment, with rapid clinical assessment and a strong emphasis on same‑day or timely prescribing to minimise risk and improve engagement.

It will work as part of the wider Alliance model, integrating seamlessly with psychosocial services and supporting continuity of care from custody, court and prison into the community. The provider will be responsible for maintaining robust clinical governance, ensuring compliance with national guidelines, and collaborating closely with criminal justice partners to facilitate effective pathways, reduce harm, and support individuals' recovery goals.

The interim clinical drug and alcohol treatment service will deliver a comprehensive range of prescribing interventions, including stabilisation, reduction, withdrawal, detoxification, relapse prevention, and support towards recovery or abstinence, all in line with UK clinical guidelines and NICE standards. The service is designed for rapid access, aiming for same-day prescribing wherever possible and guaranteeing that waiting times from referral to treatment do not exceed 10 working days, including for those within the criminal justice system.

Continuity of care is a priority, ensuring uninterrupted prescribing for individuals released from prison or court, with provision for evening, weekend, and bank holiday coverage. Clinical assessment is mandatory prior to prescribing, and the assessment will follow the individual throughout their recovery journey.

The service will support a range of criminal justice pathways, including Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA), Arrest Referral, Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR), Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR), and continuity of care following release from prison. Robust clinical governance will be maintained, aligned to Public Health Wales standards, with regular audits, mandatory training, and compliance with all statutory and regulatory frameworks.

The provider will work closely with criminal justice partners—such as police, probation, courts, and prison healthcare—to facilitate effective pathways, reduce harm, and support recovery goals. Performance standards include minimum KPIs of prescribing within 10 working days, same-day opioid substitution therapy (OST) availability, and seamless continuity of care for individuals released from prison.

The service will exclude individuals with significant unmanaged physical or mental health needs, pregnant women, and those over 80 years old, as these cases will be managed within Community Drug and Alcohol Team (CDAT) services. The service must be provided within the Swansea Bay Footprint.

Currently there is only one specialist provider that are able to deliver the Health Boards requirement. Additional information: This will be awarded following the Most Suitable Provider Process. The contract will be for a One Year Duration, from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027