New South Lanarkshire drug scheme criticised over lack of Government funding

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Medical assisted treatment for people with problematic drug use will be rolled out across South Lanarkshire but funding arrangements for it have been criticised.At the South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board meeting this week, which was attended by representatives from the council and NHS Lanarkshire, information on the local approach to introduce Medical Assisted Treatment Standards (MATS) was presented to members.It was confirmed the treatment will be funded by the Scottish Government for one year and delivered through an extension of urgent response, which has been used in a successful test project carried out in the Clydesdale area.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android The responsibility, which has been transferred to local authorities and health boards, was criticised by South Lanarkshire council’s chief executive Cleland Sneddon.He said: “Notwithstanding the very significant need for us to act on this particular agenda, we have received a letter from the Scottish Government ministers.“It proposed that effectively there’s a transfer of accountability from ministers and it seeks to make a direction.

There is no right for the government to make that direction, we believe, to local authorities, that’s being checked at the moment at a national level.“If you were being cynical, it’s a transfer of