Shared Care
What is Shared Care for Substance Misuse?
‘Shared Care’ is the term used to describe the provision of services to Service Users with substance misuse dependency issues.
It is where you can receive treatment for drug problems in primary care i.e. in a GP practice, with support from specialist drug treatment services.
Service Users managed within a Shared Care scheme normally have medium to low support requirements, and often have been receiving treatment from the secondary care specialist service.
Information Leaflet and Guide for GP Practices
- Service User Information Leaflet (for members of the public)
- Guide to Shared Care in GP Practices (for GPs and Practice Managers)
What are the advantages of Shared Care?
- Nobody in the waiting room knows you are there to see a key worker about drug problems
- It can make it easier to sort out any other health problems
- You could be seen closer to where you live
Other benefits of Shared Care
There are many other benefits for providing this type of service to Service Users in a GP practice - it fits in with the Government strategy on bringing treatment closer to Service Users, improving access and improving health outcomes;
- It provides increased routes of access to drug treatment
- GP Practices providing Shared Care have their own dedicated keyworker provided by specialist drug services at no cost to the surgery
- Shared Care clinics are run at the practices and integrated into the existing practice systems so this provides for better communication and continuity of care to this Service User group
- Service Users are able to be cared for in a more holistic way, which includes their general health and social care
- Shared Care clinics can be linked in with existing primary care clinics such as: practice nurse, health visitors, sexual health clinics etc
- It normalises the treatment process for the Service User rather than contributing to the stigma associated with substance use.
Who is suitable for Shared Care?
- Anyone will be considered for Shared Care
- The decision for suitability is part of an assessment and care planning process
- Once assessed you will be referred into the most appropriate treatment for you
Where is Shared Care available in Lancashire?
Shared Care is available or is in development in most of Lancashire.
To get more information on this service in your area, please contact your local drug service for more information:-
Local Substance Misuse Service Numbers:
- Morecambe, Lancaster, Wyre & Fylde
01524 846106 - Preston
01772 676000 - Leyland (including Chorley)
01772 773540 - West Lancashire
01695 50740 - Burnley, Pendle & Rossendale
01282 657270 - Hyndburn & Ribble Valley
01254 226200 - Blackburn with Darwen
01254 585422
or contact the Shared Care Development Manager in your area:
North Lancashire
Catherine Wickham
01772 777583
Central Lancashire
Liz Jennings
01772 777065
East Lancashire
Andrea Stead
01282 657270