Agenda item

9.1  The Marina House and the Drug & Alcohol Policy Framework presentation was introduced by Gwen Kennedy, Director of Client Group Commissioning , Tanya Barrow, Community Safety Manager, Emily Finch, Clinical Director, Addictions, SLaM  and Rebecca Walker, DAAT and Interim Commissioning Manager . The chair then invited questions.

9.2  Officers were asked if most drug treatment had moved out of Marina House and how it will be utilised more fully in the future. Officers confirmed that it was principally now being used to provide back office support. Officers explained that it is a SLaM building, which means it can be used for beyond Southwark residents. Officers said Marina House was not entirely full, and that development of the space will be tied in with the Drugs Needs Assessment. Voluntary groups have also been invited to propose services to be delivered from there. A member of the public asked for details on the proposed arrangements with voluntary providers, however, officers said this was not ready to be shared as officers are still developing relationships and scoping the proposals out.

9.3  A member quiered the amount of training GP have received to assist drug users. Members queried the data on the amount of GPs who had completed levels one and two, and the expressed disappointment with the lack of detailed information and targets. The scrutiny project manager commented that more information had been given in a previous report and officers offered to provide a more detailed follow on report.

9.4   The member reminded the officers that one of the challenges that scrutiny put down when the original plans moved drug referral to GP practices was that there would be an investment in training. Rebecca Walker responded that there are specialised drug workers in the many of the surgeries. She explained the service  are reluctant to push GPs to work with drug users who do not want to do this as that gives poor outcomes . There are also drug clinics that people can use if they can't access  drug services adequately  in  surgeries, as primary care have some GP practices who don't want to provide a drug service,  but patients who still want to stay registered for other health care.  Rebecca Walker asked members why this was such a concern and  the committee members reminded officers of the original commitment to train GPs when the service re-design emphasised the referral  role of primary care and restricted self referral and reduced services at Marina House. Members pointed out those now only 10 GPs are trained at level 2 out of a total of 240.

9.5  A member commented that Marina House is a threadbare service and raised concerns that this used to be a place people went from the south of the borough for treatment for serious drug problems. He suggested that this left a big hole in the south for services. Rebecca Walker responded that there are two big services in Camberwell, and SEDAC do outreach.  She offered to provide a map and description of the services. Offices emphasised that treatment access has gone up and success rates have also increased, furthermore that is an overall drop in opiate users.

9.6  Members asked how the Drug Needs Assessment will be done and officers said that this will be commissioned out and use a literature review, focus groups and national data. Members asked when this would be completed and officers explained that they might be able to come back in October, however it might be later.

9.7  A member asked if crystal meth use is increasing as she had heard local reports that suggested it was. Officers said that it was, however it is still very low, so cases are rising from 4 to 10.GBL is more concerning, however the service predicted a significant rise in crystal meth that did not happen. Officers explained that they do a promotion with gay men on GBL on risks. There is also concern on manufacturing as a fire risk.

9.1  An audience member commented that he was very concerned about the increasing levels of alcohol abuse and said he understood this was a major problem. Tania Barrow commented that there are different service arrangements for drugs and alcohol, as dugs are illegal and alcohol legal; she offered to make available the Southwark’s Alcohol Strategy. The chair invited audience members to consider the information officers have promised to provide and contact her in advance with any quires.

RESOLVED

Council and CCG commissioners will provide the committee with:

• A briefing on drug services in the south of the borough, including a map of all the treatment centres and a description of activities, including outreach.

• More details on GP drug training.

• A copy of Southwark’s Alcohol Strategy

• Return with the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on drugs, when it has been completed, in around 6 month’s time.

SLaM and the commissioners will provide the committee with a scoping document setting out plans for Marina House, including how it will be used for the provision of drug services.