An analysis of initial service transformation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in two inner-city substance misuse services. (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hazan, Jemma; Congdon, Lawrence; Sathanandan, Shivanthi; Grewal, Pardeep
• Is Part Of: Journal of substance use. Volume 26:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 279
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- substance misuse -- services -- opioid substitution therapy; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medication abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1820089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-9891

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presents challenges to substance misuse services. Patients face a higher risk of infection and transmission to others. Services were required to reconfigure quickly in response to the government lockdown. These changes had to be completed before national guidance was published. Method: To examine the strategy and operational delivery of two London boroughs and measure how convergent they were with national guidelines. Referral data were analyzed and compared to a similar time frame pre-COVID-19. Results: Both services adopted similar strategies and pace of change. Longer supplies of opiate substitution therapy (OST) were prescribed, with less restrictive arrangements for collection. There was an increase in opiate assessments and a reduction in alcohol assessments. There was no overall increase in mortality. There was minor deviation from national guidance when it was initially published. Conclusions: The services were well equipped to respond to the rapid changes demanded during early lockdown. Reduced restrictions in OST may not be associated with negative service or patient outcomes. The move to remote consultations and home working are likely to have value in substance misuse services after the pandemic. The long-term impact of lockdown presents uncertainties in terms of clinical safety and requires evaluation.