Shared Care

'Shared Care' is the term that describes increasing the ability of NHS primary care services, particularly GPs and pharmacists, to work more effectively with substance misusers. In Cambridgeshire we've set up new posts in our specialist treatment services to support shared care better.

Work is overseen by the Shared Care Monitoring Group, which has written Guidelines for GP's on working with drug misusers as well as writing locality referral pathways. These pathways will enable clients to swiftly access the most appropriate service. Emphasis is weighted on direct access services and greater availability of literature for clients in order that they can make their own choices. Parallel pathways are also being written for alcohol clients.

If we increase collaboration between all the agencies and individuals who work with drug misusers, we can then ensure individualised packages of care are offered, thus tailoring services to better meet the needs of this diverse client group.

This reflects objectives from the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse on developing integrated care pathways. Fenland PCT is one of eight national sites for the "Enhancing Treatment Outcomes for Substance Misusers Pilot". Lessons learned from these Pilot Sites will inform the national roll out.