Rehab centre review
AN addiction rehabilitation centre in Runcorn has said it represents ‘value for money’ after a survey among service users.
Oasis on Bridge Street is run by the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT) and treats hundreds of clients every year for problems ranging from heroin, cannabis, alcohol, prescription drugs, and crack cocaine to gambling.
A UKAT spokeswoman said a survey of Oasis Runcorn service users between January and June this year found that 77% of those leaving rehab felt that they had ‘reached all of their goals’ with the rest having met ‘some of their goals’.
When asked about the value for money for the treatment they received during their time in rehab, 35% rated it as ‘very good’, 40% rated it as ‘good’ and 22% rated it as ‘fair’.
The spokeswoman said 88% of clients surveyed at Oasis Runcorn are now well enough to return home, while the rest will move onto further care and treatment plans, organised by the team.
The rehab group also reported that nearly all of those surveyed (96%) would recommend Oasis Runcorn to other addicts needing help.
It published the findings alongside a warning that treatment service budgets across the North West are being cut.
UKAT lodged a Freedom Of Information Request earlier this year which revealed that across the North West, £16m less is being spent on free substance misuse treatment services than was being spent six years ago.
It said the most severe reductions were at Lancashire and Manchester councils, with each having cut substance misuse budgets by £3.8m in six years.
Bolton, Blackpool and Rochdale all cut their budgets by £2.1m, £1.3m and £1.6m respectively.
Cheshire East lowered its by £615,000 and Cheshire West And Chester slashed its budget over the same period by £630,000.
UKAT told the Weekly News that Halton Borough Council had provided figures for 2018-19 and 20192020, which showed a budget reduction of £100,000 from £1.7m to £1.6m.
Residential rehab and detox budgets had been hit hardest, falling from £150,000 to £55,000.
Eytan Alexander, UKAT managing director, said: “We survey all clients before and after treatment to ensure that their needs are being fully met and to identify how we can improve.
“The results for Oasis Runcorn speak for themselves; 95% of patients rate their treatment as ‘very good’.
“Services like Oasis Runcorn save lives, as do publicly funded services but unfortunately, councils here have hacked away at drug and alcohol treatment budgets every year since 2013.
“Not everybody can afford to pay for their treatment, but everyone deserves to be treated, and so we encourage councils across the North West to make better budget decisions next year.”