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<p>The Drug and Alcohol Recovery Payment by Results (PbR) pilots ran from April 2012
to March 2014. Their purpose was to develop and test the PbR approach to contracting
for drug and alcohol services.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>As with services in other
parts of the country, providers in the eight PbR pilot sites were expected to take
account of the United Kingdom guidelines on the Clinical Management of Drug Misuse
and Dependence and the relevant guidance from the National Institute for Health and
Care Excellence. Services that prescribe opioid substitute treatment must be registered
with the regulator, the Care Quality Commission.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The
Government’s 2010 Drug Strategy is ambitious to support more people to recover from
dependence on drugs and alcohol, acknowledging that all treatments with a sound evidence
base, including opioid substitution medication, have a role to play depending on the
clinical circumstances of individual cases.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Pending
the publication in 2015 of the independent evaluation of the pilot programme, in August
2014 the Department published a note on lessons learnt. This document was intended
for commissioners and providers who are considering using a PbR method and highlights
the key areas where additional attention may need to be focussed to optimise the PbR
approach.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Local Authority Circular LAC(DH)(2014)2, <em>Public
Health Ring-fenced Grant Conditions</em> – 2015-16, dated 17 December 2014, stipulates
at paragraph 20 that “in commissioning services using funds from this grant, local
authorities should also ensure that appropriate clinical governance arrangements are
put in place.” The circular contains a link to a public health commissioning template
which emphasises the importance of good clinical practice.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>The structures for coordinating local Joint Strategic Needs Assessments and
the provision of services are set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012. Should
there be a complaint which cannot be resolved locally about a local authority’s discharge
of its functions, an individual can refer the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman.</p><p>
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