ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses clinical guidelines and their purpose, with an emphasis on how they may apply to people with mental health–substance use problems. It demonstrates some of the difficulties in providing treatment for people with mental health–substance use is that they invariably require treatment for a range of problems sometimes from different types of services at the same time. There are significant challenges in the development of coherent guidelines for people experiencing mental health–substance use problems. All local areas were to develop their own strategy for working with people experiencing mental health–substance use problems, and should include multi–agency/professional approach and collaboration; including third–sector organisations, as well as statutory. The key to implementation of clinical guidelines are the people in the local areas including people using the service, family, carers and professionals. Where implementation has worked, is where senior local leads drive forward change within services and within practice.
