Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 51
51
Rejected
Paragraph: 184
Middlesbrough DAT programme impressive but lacked crucial joint local funding.
Conclusion
We support the use of DAT supported by wrap-around psychosocial support. The impressive Middlesbrough DAT programme that we witnessed held benefits for both the public health and criminal justice sectors. We are most disappointed that joint local funding from both the health and criminal justice sectors could not be secured for the programme. That said, we recognise the cost of the programme and the difficult decisions that need to be made by local stakeholders when allocating funds to services. Given the rate of opioid-related deaths in England, it is not further consideration that is required from central government, it is swift action.
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation, stating that local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug treatment interventions and deciding on funding based on local need and priorities.
Paragraph Reference:
184
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
The Government does not accept this recommendation. Diamorphine Assisted Treatment is a clinical guideline-supported intervention and, as referenced in the Government’s response to the ACMD report in 2016, local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug treatment interventions and it is for them to decide whether or not to fund the treatment, depending on local need and priorities. Regarding the Diamorphine Assisted Treatment Programme closure in Middlesbrough, it was a local funding decision made by the local authority to not extend the pilot of this programme.