§ Mrs. Helen ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that local partnerships with voluntary sector and drug agencies are not adversely affected under regional commissioning; [184893]
(2) what evidence he has collated on whether regional commissioning of drugs or alcohol services lead to economies of scale. [184892]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe national treatment agency (NTA) for substance misuse is developing guidance on models of regional commissioning, to enable implementation of regional systems for the commissioning of residential drug and alcohol misuse specific services (Tier 4). Clear and concise guidance setting out recommended models for regional commissioning of Tier 4 services will be available352W shortly. This will be used by NTA regional teams to implement local commissioning mechanisms by the end of December 2004.
The regional commissioning implementation is part of the NTA's Tier 4 work programme which has been widely consulted on by key stakeholders in the substance misuse field, including voluntary sector agencies. The consensus in consultation was that regional commissioning would lead to more effective and efficient commissioning of Tier 4 treatment, and would improve client access. Although not directly targeted at alcohol specific services, this work is applicable for all substance misuse services.
The Tier 4 work programme is advised by an advisory group consisting of a broad range of representatives involved in Tier 4 treatment provision, including voluntary and statutory sector service providers, commissioners and service users.