Addiction Support Waiting Times
Excessively long waiting times and delays in accessing addiction support and residential rehabilitation placements.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
78match
#6 - Increase funding to radically reduce autism assessment waiting times backlog.
Too many people are waiting far too long to get their autism assessment and the backlog is getting worse. It is clear that current efforts to address the waiting list backlog are inadequate and that the additional funding that has been allocated is far short of what is required. The Government needs to radically increase the funding allocated...
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
77match
Robyn Skilton
Insufficient resourcing and provision within mental health services for young people led to long waiting times for assessments by child psychiatrists, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The increased demand for CAMHS services without corresponding resource increases is noted as unsustainable.
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
73match
David Read
The coroner identified significant delays in Mr. Read's access to the Community Mental Health Team, noting that a re-referral after a cancelled appointment resulted in a waiting time exceeding 16 weeks.
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
73match
Benjamin Williamson
The coroner identified gaps in integrated care for patients with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse issues, leading to inadequate support. Insufficient communication and feedback between addiction services and the GP, alongside unaddressed consent for disclosure, compromised ongoing care.
Matched on
terms: addiction, support
PFD report
73match
Daniel France
The coroner identified a significant gap in support for vulnerable young people awaiting substantive mental health treatment, exacerbated by long waiting lists for psychological therapies and difficulties meeting urgent intervention criteria. This situation poses risks for individuals at chronic risk of impulsive acts.
Matched on
terms: support, waiting
Committee recommendation
73match
#15 - Eating disorder waiting time standards unmet, while mental health standards remain too limited
We are concerned about the NHS still not meeting the eating disorder service standards, and how long young people suffering from eating disorders have to wait for treatment. NHSE explained to us that this is because it took time for the NHS to develop the services including infrastructure and workforce, which were not in place before the standards...
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
Committee recommendation
72match
#179 - Require balancing prisoner punishments with mandatory drug treatment referrals and resourcing consistent adjudications
We recommend that punishments, such as the loss of privileges, are balanced with a mandatory referral to drug treatment services. This ensures that individuals are held accountable while also directed towards the support they need to break the cycle of addiction. We also recommend that the Earned Progression model is accompanied by a clear, measurable plan to ensure...
Matched on
terms: addiction, support, time
PFD report
69match
Lee Bonsall
The coroner noted that citalopram was given on repeat prescription contrary to guidelines, and questioned if GPs were aware of them. Concerns were also raised about ten-month waiting times for psychotherapy, making it an unviable alternative to medication.
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
69match
Anthony Huggan
The coroner noted the absence of an appropriate out-of-hours service for drug addiction, which placed an undue burden on emergency services. Concerns were also raised about the timeliness of follow-up checks for patients self-discharging after an overdose.
Matched on
terms: addiction, time
PFD report
69match
Shane Hardy
The coroner noted gaps in support for individuals with co-occurring addiction and mental health issues who disengage from referrals. Concerns also included insufficient inter-agency information sharing and no lead communication agency.
Matched on
terms: addiction, support
PFD report
69match
John Derwent
The coroner noted significant waiting times for CBT, reaching 12 months against a 6-week target due to insufficient capacity. The report also described ineffective escalation mechanisms between the commissioning body and service provider to address the increasing waiting list.
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
69match
Conor Crutchley
The Early Intervention Team lacks specialist drug and alcohol workers, despite many patients having dual diagnoses, and interaction with external providers relies on self-referral. Significant waiting times for talking therapies are also noted due to recruitment challenges.
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
69match
Daniel Mervis
Oxford University lacks an overarching drug policy for its colleges, and St John's College has a potential conflict between its strict drug misuse policy and the support offered for addiction, which may deter students from seeking help. The college's drug policies also require wider advertisement.
Matched on
terms: addiction, support
Committee recommendation
68match
#82 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Even when treatment is available, witnesses told us about delays before it starts. Justin Russell said that âas with services for others living in the community, there are huge waiting lists at the moment for things like mental health treatment, and people on probation are joining a very long queue.â 154 The Criminal Justice Alliance added that âthe...
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
65match
Daniel Hall
The coroner identified lengthy delays for students at the University of South Wales in accessing mental health support services, even when suicidal ideation was expressed and risk factors like ASD were known.
Matched on
terms: support
Committee recommendation
64match
#70 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Of all the reasons why community orders are a key sentencing option, one stands out: they can be tailored to the circumstances of individual offenders. In this chapter, we reflect on how best community orders can fit the individual. We consider the fact that many people on probation need help with mental health issues or addictions and the...
Matched on
terms: addiction, support
LGO / SPSO decision
64match
21-011-449 - Cambridgeshire County Council
Summary: Mr X complained about support for drug dependence for his late relative Mr Y. The Council which commissioned Change Grow Live, was at fault because there was no review of Mr Y’s long-term prescription of diazepam, no audit of the file and a failure to deal with a request for records within legal timescales in the Access...
Matched on
terms: support, time
Committee recommendation
64match
#28 - Sixth Report - Stolen years: combatting state hostage diplomacy
We recommend a plan be prepared by the FCDO for providing material support for long-term arbitrarily detained persons on their release as well as support during detention for families especially where the detainee is the primary earner. In this context the FCDO should: • Continue to resource organisations who provide psychological support beyond release and physical rehabilitation such...
Matched on
terms: addiction, support
PFD report
61match
Sian Armstrong
The coroner noted a delay in a child receiving required CBT and sought assurances that this therapy would be available to children in a timely manner from North Bristol NHS Trust.
Matched on
terms: time
PFD report
61match
Thomas Wall
The coroner identifies a lack of local in-patient detox facilities, requiring patients to travel and experience long waiting lists. There is also a need for a more collaborative approach to dual diagnosis patients, noting that separating treatment components exacerbates distress.
Matched on
terms: waiting
PFD report
61match
Lakhminder Kaur
The coroner noted Mrs Kaur's long-term addiction to zopiclone and identified concerns with the decision to abruptly discontinue the medication to prevent self-harm.
Matched on
terms: addiction
PFD report
61match
Scott Carton
The report identifies a lack of appropriate psychological support for Mr Carton's emotionally unstable personality disorder and drug dependence in his hostel and prison placements. It also notes insufficient psychological resources for prisoners with similar conditions upon release, impeding successful reintegration.
Matched on
terms: support
PFD report
61match
Joseph Gingell
The coroner raised concerns regarding the toxic effects of drugs when taken excessively with other medication, and that permitting patient "self-certification" without checks and not informing a GP removes safeguards for vulnerable individuals with addiction.
Matched on
terms: addiction
PFD report
61match
Steven Allen
The coroner noted concerns regarding the prescribing of oxycodone and other medications to an individual with a history of addiction, especially when prescriptions were issued via telephone consultations and replacement prescriptions were given with little challenge.
Matched on
terms: addiction
PFD report
61match
Nicholas Spooner
The coroner identified a need for specialist dual diagnosis services, including outreach and drop-in centres, to support individuals experiencing mental health crises alongside substance abuse, who are often denied mental health care.
Matched on
terms: support
Committee recommendation
61match
#81 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Referrals exceed availability for drug treatment, too. Justin Russell told us waiting lists âare not hugeâ for community-based drug treatment services commissioned by local authorities. 150 He added that there had been âa big dropâ in the availability of such services, âpartly because it is very expensive and they can only be commissioned on a consortium basisâ if...
Matched on
terms: waiting
IMB annual report
60match
Dovegate (2024)
HMP Dovegate, a privately run Category B training prison for men aged 21 and over, operated at or near its 1160 operational capacity during the reporting year. The Board observed generally calm wings with good staff-prisoner relationships and commended improvements in education. Key concerns include three deaths in custody, long healthcare and mental health transfer waiting times, persistent...
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PHSO casework decision
60match
P-002701 - Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Mr L complained about long waiting times for ADHD assessment, failure to inform him of alternative pathways, and lack of coping advice, negatively impacting his mental health and employment.
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
57match
Alan Stanfield Browning
Mr. Browning was discharged from Somewhere House without his family being informed of accommodation arrangements, and a Friday discharge limited time to secure proper housing. There was also a lack of clarity regarding routine family involvement in discharge planning.
Matched on
terms: time
PFD report
57match
Robert Lloyd
The coroner noted difficulties in providing supportive treatment for alcohol abusers on the Isles of Scilly due to limited face-to-face support. This was exacerbated by reduced transport services, making it challenging for professionals to travel and engage with service users.
Matched on
terms: support
PFD report
57match
Stuart Campbell
The coroner noted that an escalation policy between ADS and Pennine Care was not followed, and ADS workers lacked clear guidance and clinical support. There were also concerns regarding the documentation and facilitation of shared care discussions, especially as the GP had not seen the deceased.
Matched on
terms: support
PFD report
57match
Justin Brown
The coroner noted concerns regarding the hospital's discharge process for addiction patients, specifically the lack of an agreed protocol and insufficient collaboration with commissioned drug services to monitor referrals and patient outcomes.
Matched on
terms: addiction
PFD report
57match
Holly Chevassut
GRS operates vehicles with mirrors and guards positioned less than 2 meters from the road surface and projecting over 20 centimetres from the vehicle's widest point. This configuration is identified as creating a risk of personal injury and death to those overtaken by these vehicles.
Matched on
terms: time
PFD report
57match
Jade Rayner
Concerns included Greater Manchester Police not recording or investigating a sexual offence allegation, which affected victim support. There was also an absence of a clear multi-agency strategy for complex cases and insufficient alcohol misuse support for trauma-driven needs.
Matched on
terms: support
Committee recommendation
57match
#160 - Widespread illicit substance availability normalises drug use and addiction within prisons.
The widespread and increasing availability of illicit substances has fostered a culture of acceptance that normalises drug use in prisons. This makes the presence of drugs inescapable for many prisoners. The situation is made worse by two key factors: the high number of people entering prison with an existing addiction, and the worrying trend of prisoners who had...
Matched on
terms: addiction
Committee recommendation
57match
#120 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
We also heard about deferred sentences. Dr Graham told us that Scottish sheriff courts can decide to âdefer sentence for approximately six monthsâ during which the offender is supported and supervised, and to âsentence at the end of thatâ, giving courts a greater opportunity to monitor progress. 235 The Probation Board of Northern Ireland told us about the...
Matched on
terms: support
Committee recommendation
57match
#84 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
In the face of such challenges regarding the availability of treatment, Damian Hinds MP told us that âthe Government made a commitment in the 10-year drugs strategy paper From Harm to Hope to making sure that there is a treatment place for every offender with an addiction and that there is money behind thatâ. He told us that...
Matched on
terms: addiction
Committee recommendation
57match
#73 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Three âCommunity Sentence Treatment Requirementsâ (CSTRs) exist to support offenders on their path away from crime: âthe Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR), the Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR), and the Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR)â. 123 Speaking about DRRs specifically, Damian Hinds MP told us that âtackling drugs is a multi-faceted, multi-stage thing, but this opportunity at the point of...
Matched on
terms: support
Committee recommendation
56match
#22 - Despite increased access, significant treatment gaps and long waiting lists persist for mental health services.
It is good to see that the number of people accessing NHS funded mental services has increased, from 3.6 million in 2016–17 to 4.5 million in 2021–22. However, this equates to only around one third of people with mental health needs accessing services, with an estimated eight million still not doing so.43 NHSE acknowledged that, under the current...
Matched on
terms: waiting
CQC action
56match
Liverpool Walk in Centre
Review the waiting times for patients for initial assessment/triage to treatments. The provider should improve these waiting times so that services are responsive to the needs of children and young people across each of the Walk in Centre locations.
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
IMB annual report
56match
Parc (2024)
HMP/YOI Parc, a Category B/C resettlement prison, faced significant challenges including 19 deaths in custody, with a notable cluster of drug-related fatalities, and high levels of self-harm and violence, though a downtrend was observed towards the end of the reporting period. Persistent concerns included poor food quality and quantity, insufficient keyworkers, and ongoing issues with property transfers. Healthcare...
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
IMB annual report
55match
Berwyn (2021)
HMP Berwyn, a category C resettlement prison, experienced its first period near full operational capacity during a reporting year largely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite restrictions, the IMB found the establishment safe with generally good staff-prisoner relationships and efforts made to provide education and essential work. However, significant concerns persisted regarding infrastructure defects (heating, paint), lengthy healthcare...
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
LGO / SPSO decision
55match
201810152 - Tayside NHS Board
C was referred to the board's urology service (specialists in the male and female urinary tract, and the male reproductive organs) via an urgent referral due to suspected cancer. C was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma (a type of cancer that typically occurs in the urinary system). C underwent laparoscopic (keyhole surgery) nephroureterectomy (a surgical procedure to remove...
Matched on
terms: time, waiting
PFD report
53match
Jane Bush
The report highlights delays in accessing mental health assessments and psychological therapy due to challenges in balancing service capacity with increasing demand, and difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled staff within the Trust.
Matched on
classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#102 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Women entering the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales are often the victims of abuse and discrimination, or suffering from trauma, addiction, and mental health issues. Many of them have caring responsibilities. These issues, acknowledged by the Government in its Female Offenders Strategy, have been explored in depth by others , notably by Baroness Corston and recently...
Matched on
terms: addiction
Committee recommendation
53match
#91 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Current efforts to improve treatment services and increase their availability should be sustained. Further investment in Community Sentence Treatment Requirements is required and should be a priority. CSTRs are key to reducing reoffending, putting offenders on a path away from crime and protecting the public. Mainstreaming wraparound support The needs of female offenders
Matched on
terms: support
Committee recommendation
53match
#89 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Many people on probation suffer from mental health issues and from addiction to alcohol or drugs, which fuels their offending behaviour. Few of them are referred to a Community Sentence Treatment Requirement (CSTR). And yet, referrals exceed the availability of treatment, which may in itself deter sentencers from making referrals.
Matched on
terms: addiction
Committee recommendation
53match
#12 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Many people on probation suffer from mental health issues and from addiction to alcohol or drugs, which fuels their offending behaviour. Few of them are referred to a Community Sentence Treatment Requirement (CSTR). And yet, referrals exceed the availability of treatment, which may in itself deter sentencers from making referrals.
Matched on
terms: addiction
Committee recommendation
52match
#79 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Justin Russell argued that treatment requirements âare not used as widely as they could beâ. 137 Speaking specifically about drug treatment, Justin Russell told us that there is a âhuge gapâ between the âneed for specialist treatmentâ and the number of offenders served a treatment requirement. 138 Revolving Doors wrote that âthe use of treatment requirements is far...
Matched on
terms: time
Committee recommendation
52match
#24 - Specific groups face significant barriers accessing drug treatment and support.
We were concerned to hear about the barriers people, such as women and black, Asian and minority ethnic people, can face when accessing treatment. No-one should be unable, or feel unable, to receive treatment and support. (Paragraph 100) Drugs 75
Matched on
terms: support