Third Sector Support to Shared Care

Descriptions

The Drugs Death Task Force (DDTF) was formed in 2019 to tackle the rising number of drug deaths in Scotland. The Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standard subgroup was formed as part of the DDTF work. It published 10 MAT Standards in 2021. MAT Standard 7 states that all people should have the option of MAT shared with Primary Care. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is one of the most effective interventions to support people to reduce their use of street drugs and the harms they are suffering. MAT is the use of prescribed medication, delivered with psychological and social support to reduce drug harms, the risk of drug death and promote recovery. Joint working between health and social care, primary care and specialist drug treatment services is a key feature of effective treatment partnerships. There is an aging population of people who use drugs, many with co-morbid underlying health conditions, who would benefit from MAT delivery in primary care where their wider health and care needs could be met.