Why is this HEAT target important?
To ensure more people recover from drug and alcohol problems so that they can live longer, healthier lives, realising their potential and making a positive contribution to society and the economy. The first stage in helping people to recover from drug and alcohol problems is to support action across the country to provide a wide-range of services for individuals and their families that are recovery focused, good quality and that can be accessed when and where they are needed.
How are we performing?
Target due for delivery by March 2013
By March 2013, 90 per cent of clients will wait no longer than 3 weeks from referral received to appropriate drug or alcohol treatment that supports their recovery.
NHS Board level performance for the quarters ending June 2011, September 2011, and December 2011 are shown below. In the quarter ending December 2011, 84.9 per cent of clients received their first treatment within 3 weeks of their referral.
All NHS Boards have a local target of 90 per cent of clients waiting no longer than 3 weeks by March 2013.
Percentage of clients who waited no longer than 3 weeks for their first treatment, by NHS Board, in April - June 2011, July - September 2011, and October - December 2011.
| NHS Board | 3 weeks (%) Apr-Jun 2011 | 3 weeks (%) Jul-Sep 2011 | 3 weeks (%) Oct-Dec 2011 |
| NHS AYRSHIRE & ARRAN | 89.5 | 84.5 | 89.7 |
| NHS BORDERS | 92.0 | 90.1 | 92.9 |
| NHS DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY | 74.6 | 87.6 | 90.7 |
| NHS FIFE | 71.1 | 80.4 | 87.5 |
| NHS FORTH VALLEY | 87.8 | 79.8 | 91.2 |
| NHS GRAMPIAN | 58.2 | 71.4 | 77.0 |
| NHS GREATER GLASGOW & CLYDE | 92.3 | 90.4 | 92.8 |
| NHS HIGHLAND | 76.6 | 74.2 | 79.5 |
| NHS LANARKSHIRE | 97.5 | 98.6 | 96.6 |
| NHS LOTHIAN | 45.5 | 52.4 | 51.9 |
| NHS ORKNEY | 91.7 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| NHS SHETLAND | 95.9 | 100.0 | 92.3 |
| NHS TAYSIDE | 65.1 | 64.3 | 65.9 |
| NHS WESTERN ISLES | 88.7 | 84.9 | 100.0 |
| SCOTLAND | 82.8 | 83.9 | 84.9 |
Note: Figures for the latest quarter (October - December 2011) include NHS Lothian Substance Misuse Directorate for the first time. This will affect comparisons of data across quarters at both a national and local level.
Further Information
The Road to Recovery: A New Approach to Tackling Scotland's Drug Problem
Changing Scotland's Relationship with Alcohol: A Framework for Action
National drug and alcohol treatment waiting times statistics
Related National Outcomes