How prolific drug use is handled within Carseview is one of the key issues to be tackled by NHS Tayside, the mental health inquiry has claimed.
The inquiry urges drug use and mental health issues to be tackled in conjunction.
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It echoes recommendations made by the Dundee Drugs Commission in August last year, which said the issues were intrinsically linked.
Drug use was described as a “consistent theme” in evidence submitted to the mental health inquiry.
Dr David Strang’s report said NHS Tayside should “consider developing a model of integrated substance use and mental health services”.
The report also called for a national review on how to respond to substance misuse in inpatient wards.
During one month in 2019 a patient was found to be supplying another patient with amphetamines; a bag of powder and tablets were found when one patient’s belongings were searched; a visitor was seen supplying drugs to a patient, and several other patients were seen smoking cannabis.
The inquiry found patients who were suspected of using drugs felt they were treated “particularly poorly” as a result.
The report states: “They felt as if they were treated as non-deserving, and that staff were quick to seek to remove them from mental health treatment.
“Some patient records confirmed unhelpful attitudes of staff towards patients with descriptions such as ‘manipulative, uncooperative and attention-seeking’.”
This made patients feel more isolated and fearful and the resultant tension would lead to arguments and fights, the report adds.
Staff have been left feeling helpless and not supported by management when trying to tackle the issue.
“Staff were not able to control the availability of illegal drugs on the wards, nor had legal powers to so so,” the report notes.
Patients and families reported seeing drugs being openly delivered, sold and taken within Carseview.
This could lead to patients being discharged to their family, who would often feel “they were not in a position to meet the needs of the patient”.
One of the key issues raised by last year’s interim report was that patients were being turned away if they were suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Dr Strang said that was a policy that needed rethinking.
While unveiling last year’s drugs commission report, chairman Robert Peat said: “Our recommendations also focus on treatment and support, drug related deaths and mental health.
“We see our work linking with the Dundee Fairness Commission and the Independent Inquiry into Mental Health Services in Tayside.”
COMMENT: Strang report lays out need for a complete mental health service rethink in Tayside
