Survey of services John Perrott - APPGITA

Surrey PCT NO
NHS Surrey does not currently commission such a service and this is a gap that has been identified.
When undertaking routine inquiries on controlled drugs monitoring the lack of support for patients
who have become addicted to prescription drugs has been noted. A survey of GP practices was
carried out to gain an understanding of the potential number of patients who have become addicted
to their prescribed meds. The feedback indicated that GP’s felt the level of patients addicted to
Benzos and Z drugs was equivalent to that of opioid addiction.
We understand that GPs are providing support to patients and extra support is available to GPs from
the DAAT if the patient is willing to engage. The mental health trust, Surrey and Borders Partnership
Trust has indicated that it routinely sees patients addicted to their medication. They are happy to
have individual cases referred to them.
Whether CCGs would look to commission a specialist service in the future, we don’t know.
I hope this is of help.
Regards
Laura Dennett
Public Engagement Manager
Communications and Engagement Lead: Surrey Heath Clinical Commssioning Group
Sutton and Merton PCT NO Cecilia will also deal with the FOI for Surrey, Richmond, Kingston and
Wandsworth.
Sutton and Merton do not commission any specific services for prescribed drug dependency; individuals
concerned about such dependency should discuss the matter with the prescriber who is normally the
General Practitioner
Thank you for your request for information about Services for involuntary traquilliser addiction.
Your request was received on 18/04/2012 00:00:00 and I am dealing with it under the terms
of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will let you know. A fees
notice will be issued to you and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with
your request.
Any information we provide following your request under the Freedom of Information Act will
not confer an automatic right for you to re-use that information, for example to publish it. If you
wish to re-use the information that we provide and you do not specify this in your initial
application for information then you must make a further request for its re-use as per The reuse
of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 www.opsi.gov.uk/psi-regulations/ this will
not affect your initial information request.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote
the reference number: FOI12-157 in any future communications.
Yours sincerely,
Cecilia Tapping,
Governance Manager
and FOI Lead
020 8251 0589
Swindon PCT NO – not at time of response