ABSTRACT
The Models of Care document overall sets out a national framework for the commissioning of adult treatment for drug misuse expected to be available in every part of England to meet the needs of diverse local populations. An integrated care pathway (ICP) is essentially a description of the nature and anticipated course of treatment for a particular client and a predetermined plan of treatment. In drug and alcohol treatment services, Quality in Alcohol and Drug Services (QuADS) standards on organisational management include specific standards on monitoring service activity and client outcome. Existing commissioning standards for those responsible for drug and alcohol treatment includes explicit standards on contract monitoring and information gathering vis-a-vis local population needs. Triage assessment is likely to be a client's first face-to-face contact with a drug treatment agency and this level of assessment should be available within all drug and alcohol services and community care assessment teams.
