Scotland's addicts promised shorter waiting times

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by Change | 16 Nov 2009

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Drug addicts living in Scotland have been promised most will receive treatment after waiting no longer than three weeks in the near future.

Government health officials have pledged to reduce waiting times for drug addicts living in Scotland.

Under new targets announced last week, health boards will work towards ensuring at least 90 per cent of those needing treatment for drug dependency will be seen to in 21 days or less.

The commitment will come into force from March 2013, after official figures revealed that although treatment services are improving, 11 per cent of addicts are facing a wait of a year or more.

Included in the latest health performance targets set by the Scottish government for 2010 to 2011, a similar commitment is likely to be set out for alcohol abuse the following year.

Announcing the move, health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Ensuring patients always get the best possible care is the top priority for the NHS in Scotland and targets are a valuable way to make sure this happens."

Further targets include a pledge to deliver improved access to specialist child and adolescent mental health services.

In related news, a councillor in Aberdeen has called for a pilot scheme allowing addicts access to a pure form of heroin to take place in the city, following the success of a similar trial in England.

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