Prisoners with addictions seen before law-abiding citizens

People on outside having to wait longer for treatment ‘not acceptable’

Statistics revealing criminals locked up at Perth Prison are seen faster than lawabiding patients for alcohol and drug treatment have been described as “very concerning”.

IDS Scotland figures show 98.3% of Perth inmates were seen within three weeks, compared to just 81.5% of patients on the outside, between July and September.

The same data showed performance in NHS Tayside has slipped dramatically over the course of the last year – 91.2% of patients were seen within three weeks for the same period in 2016.

The figures also reveal 90% of patients were seen within 34 days by NHS Tayside, below the Scotland-wide average of 20 days.

Some patients in NHS Tayside are waiting as long as 12 weeks to be treated.

Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “These statistics are very concerning and whilst it is good news that prisoners receive prompt treatment the fact that patients on the outside are waiting so much longer is not acceptable.”

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside explained there are differences because in prison, treatment is recorded as soon as the person is first seen and in the community it is recorded only when the treatment programme begins.

A spokesperson for the Angus partnership said, “We are integrating local substance services to ensure the provision of appropriate resources to those most at risk, and also embrace a ‘See, Keep and Treat’ model, which focuses on people remaining within services to reduce the impact substance misuse has on families and the local community.”

A spokesperson for the Dundee partnership said: “Over the past year, as part of our improvement planning, the service developed a clearer understanding of current service capacity.

“This is informing a strategic redesign of our services and our pathways to ensure that citizens of Dundee and their families receive services appropriate to their needs which promote recovery.”

A Perth and Kinross spokesperson said: “As part of our programme of continuous service improvement, we are currently undertaking a review our services.”

Jill Galloway, head of primary care development, said: “Given the significant number of people with complex needs in HMP Perth, we have been working hard to improve access to addiction services and treatment for people in prison who need support from our service.”

These statistics are very concerning. LIZ SMITH MSP

Perth Prison inmates with drug and alcohol problems are seen quickly, figures have revealed.