NHS Highland drink and drugs aims missed

NHS Highland is struggling to keep pace with treatment of drug and alcohol victims, according to official data.

It missed waiting time targets in the second quarter of the year and failed to match a nationwide success rate.

The Scottish Government target is that 90 per cent of those needing help with drug or alcohol problems wait no longer than three weeks.

The Highland figure was 88.5 per cent compared with 94 per cent across Scotland.

Condemning the findings, north Conservative MSP Edward Mountain said: “It’s wrong that those battling addiction aren’t given the support needed to help them.

“Early intervention is crucial. NHS Highland must take urgent action to improve waiting times.”

A spokeswoman for the board said: “We continue to work hard to achieve rapid access into treatment services.

“Argyll and Bute performance has improved over the year – geographical challenges are a factor.

“A ‘rapid process improvement workshop’ event took place in June 2017 and improvements have been noted within Osprey House (rehabilitation unit at Raigmore).

“Challenges in recruitment in two key areas – Caithness and Lochaber – have kept the overall percentage just below 90 per cent. Caithness have now recruited to their vacancies and a recruitment drive is under way for Lochaber with some additional support being provided by another team in the interim.

“A roll out of the improvement work is planned for community teams in the Inner Moray Firth area where we have the highest number of referrals.”

She added that a three-days-a-week drop-in service is available at the Highland Alcohol and Drug Advice and Support Service in Church Street, Inverness.