Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Co-occurring mental health and alcohol problems frequently result in denial of vital treatment.
Conclusion
Dame Carol, Sir Ian, Ms Taylor and Ms Wiseman all raised concerns about the relationship between mental ill health and alcohol. Sir Ian told us that an estimated 70% of people entering treatment for alcohol dependency have co-occurring mental health problems.42 The relationship between substance misuse and mental ill health is well- established yet, as Dame Carol pointed out in her report, too many people are denied access to mental health services because of their alcohol dependency (and vice versa). The Department agreed it was an incredibly difficult issue and told us it was working with NHS England on a national action plan for drug, alcohol and mental health to try to move things forward.43
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to address the relationship between mental ill-health and alcohol dependency. It is developing UK-wide clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment, with public consultation in Summer 2023 and final publication later in the year, and a joint action plan with NHS England to address co-occurring conditions by Spring 2025.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2025 4.2 Increasing the numbers of dependent alcohol and drug users in treatment is a key aim of the additional drug strategy investment. 4.3 The department is providing a range of support to all local authorities for identifying and addressing barriers to engagement with treatment, including interpretation of local data, advice on specific treatment pathways, troubleshooting and sharing of best practice. Further targeted support is also provided to high priority areas for service improvement. 4.4 The department, in partnership with the devolved administrations, is developing the first UK-wide clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment, which include guidance for commissioners and services on addressing barriers to treatment. The guidelines will go out for public consultation in Summer 2023 and final guidelines will be published later in the year. 4.5 The department and NHS England are developing a joint action plan to address co-occurring mental health and drug/alcohol-related conditions. This programme of work will improve access to mental health services for people with drug and alcohol misuse conditions, as well as improve the links between mental health and substance misuse services. 4.6 The department already published the Commissioning Quality Standard for drug and alcohol treatment services in August 2022. This includes requirements for local authorities to engage with other local services, such as mental health providers, to provide coordinated packages of care that support recovery, including for people with co-occurring mental health conditions.