In 2008, the Scottish Government announced a new HEAT target 'to offer drug misusers faster access to appropriate treatment to support their recovery'. During the Spring of 2009, Scottish Government officials within the A11 HEAT Project Team consulted with NHS Boards and a range of stakeholders on a target that was achievable, what was best for people with drug problems and the possibility of the target being expanded to alcohol treatment services. This resulted in the following target being approved by Ministers in November 2009:
- By March 2013, 90% of clients will wait no longer than 3 weeks from referral received to appropriate drug treatment that supports their recovery
- Waiting times appropriate to alcohol treatment will be defined and incorporated into a target covering both drugs and alcohol by April 2011
- As a milestone to deliver 3 weeks from referral to drug or alcohol treatment by 2013/14, by December 2010, 90% of clients referred to drug treatment will receive a date for assessment that falls within 4 weeks of referral received; and 90% of clients will receive a date for treatment that falls within 4 weeks of their care plan being agreed
We thought it would be helpful to clarify for service users, practitioners, service managers, commissioners and strategists what exactly this new HEAT target means.
Full guidance has been produced on the referral pathways for this HEAT target.