NIAO flags up lack of detox and stabilisation beds in WHSCT

The Auditor General, Kieran Donnelly, in his ‘Addiction services in NI’ report published this morning, recommends a review of Tier 4a detoxification and stabilisation beds to assess whether the number of beds available across the board is sufficient.

He argues that although most treatment can be safely undertaken within ‘a community Tier 3 setting, a small number of individuals with more complex needs, who are higher risk or more vulnerable, may not respond to community based care.’

“Detoxification and stabilisation services were available to residents from the Northern, South Eastern and Southern Trust areas, but there was no access to these services for residents of either the Belfast or Western Trust. Two independent sector organisations provided rehabilitation services in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry,” he states.