Changes to drugs treatment services will hit Manchester's most vulnerable

Published: 19 June 2012

Changes to drugs treatment services will hit Manchester's most vulnerable

A decision to break-up city-wide drug services in Manchester is being challenged by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in the North West.  Planned ‘money-saving’ changes, due to take place in early July, will see services transfer out of the Greater Manchester West Trust (GMW) and delivered in future by three separate charities.
 
RCN Officer for Central Manchester, Maria Bryant said: “These changes will hit some of the most vulnerable individuals in the city.  The changes have created a real climate of uncertainty for some clients, who are now fearful for the future.  It’s really not clear how or whether these new arrangements will actually work.  However many clients remain completely unaware of the changes to come and how it will affect them personally”. 
 
“Carving up the service may also see some individuals fall through the net and return to a life of addiction.  The consequences could have a devastating effect on some of the poorest communities in the city.  Most worrying are proposals to close the needle exchange programme in south Manchester which could see an increase in public health issues like HIV.  While uncertainty over future support for prisoner release schemes and help for addicts, could affect re-offending rates and the city’s crime figures”.
 
The RCN wrote to the Commissioners recently raising a number of concerns.  Amongst them was the absence of any meaningful consultation with the professional staff responsible for delivering the service or their respective trade unions.  Despite plans and tender details being finalised in March, the Commissioners have still not formally approached trade unions to discuss changes and how they will directly affect staff.  
 
Maria Bryant added: “This cost cutting exercise could also see the potential loss of very skilled staff, highly experienced in working with people with a range of addiction problems and issues.  Staff are very alarmed about the impact of changes on their clients but also worried for their own future”.
 
The changes will affect up to 3,000 individuals and addicts in Manchester.  Currently, the City Council commission its drugs services from Greater Manchester West Trust (GMW).  In future, services will be provided by three organisations, Addiction Dependency Solutions (ADS), Crime Reduction Iniatives (CRI) and Lifeline.