News

Healthcare Commission Acute Inpatient Assessment

Last year the Healthcare Commission conducted a national assessment of acute psychiatric inpatient wards.  Three indicators specifically related to dual diagnosis (training, health promotion and access to specialist advice/services).  The final report is due in the summer.  

New Dual Diagnosis Journals

Mental Health and Substance Use: Dual diagnosis is an international journal which will be published three times a year.  More information is available at: Click here to visit website  You can register to get a free sample of the first edition.

Advances in Dual Diagnosisis UK focused.  The first edition will be published in August.  More information is available on this document. Click here to download

National Service Framework Self assessment exercise

Every year each local area has to report back to the Department of Health progress on a range of standards related to the NSF.  Since 2002 there has been a dual diagnosis standard.  Most standards require an assessment on a ‘traffic light’ system.  This year’s dual diagnosis criterion asked about whether a commissioning strategy was in place.

In addition the themed review, which is a more in-depth assessment on a specific topic, focused on commissioning.  A specific question asked whether enough was being done about dual diagnosis.

Cochrane Review Update

Cochrane reviews systematically review the research evidence on a range of health care topics.  Only the most rigorous research is included.  The review of Psychosocial interventions for people with both severe mental illness and substance misuse, based on the findings of 25 randomised controlled trials, found no compelling evidence to support any one psychosocial treatment over treatment as usual in reducing substance use or improving mental state.

A summary of the review can be found at: Visit website

The full text can be found at: Download document