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Dept of Health

Answer

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on provision for residential drug treatment centres in England. [195789] Miss Melanie Johnson: The current residential drug treatment sector consists of two main treatment types-- in-patient treatment and residential rehabilitation. The extent of current provision is as follows: The National Treatment Agency (NTA)'s residential service directory lists 111 residential rehabilitation units. The recently completed review of in-patient treatment estimated that there are 133 in-patient treatment units. Specific work to improve the efficiency of the system to access residential treatment, which includes: a national online database of current vacancies in residential rehab units (Bedvacs) to enable more efficient client placements; and guidance on regional commissioning models for residential drug treatment has been developed, to enable better commissioning of residential treatment places. The NTA monitors waiting times for residential treatment. The waiting times for residential drug treatment have been reducing as shown in the following table. Average waiting times in weeks: December 2001 to September 2004 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. In-patient treatment Residential rehabilitation NTA target 2 3 December 2001 12.1 9.1 September 2003 3.8 4.5 June 2004 2.8 2.8 September 2004 3.8 2.7 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The intensive drug interventions programme (DIP) is now in place in 66 areas with highest levels on drug- related crime. Waiting times for clients in DIP are less than the national average. Average weighted waiting time in weeks: September 2004 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. NTA target September 2004 In-patient treatment 2 2.73 Residential rehabilitation 3 2.0 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c1962-3W;426 c1968W; 195789

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Drugs Misuse Rehabilitation Waiting lists Rehabilitation centres

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk