Enter and view: Drug and alcohol dependency services, Havering

On 11 October 2016 Healthwatch Havering completed an Enter and View Visit to WDP Havering, which is a drug and alcohol dependency service. The Enter and View visit was arranged to be in line with a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection which was due to take place in late 2016.

The report does not stipulate how many residents, carers and staff participated during the visit but within the report Healthwatch Havering were clear that the report ‘did not seek to be representative of all WDP Havering service users and staff’.

Observations by the Enter and View team were positive and included the fact that WDP had taken over all responsibility for drug and alcohol dependency services from 1 October 2016. Some concerns were raised about how well the service was advertised as they had not seen anything locally, although they were given several examples of how and where the service is being advertised. WDP Havering staff attend multi-disciplinary meetings, have a base at the local police station, offer a clinical hub and family and carers service; they offer an additional ‘in-reach’ service at Queens Hospital. During the visit representatives felt it positive that WDP Havering have a system that enables service user representatives to meet regularly with the Service Manager. Shared care with GP liaison provides a positive step particularly around medicine management.

Overall the Enter and View representatives felt the service had ‘covered a lot of ground’ during the year and ‘seemed to have the enthusiasm to make this project a success’. They did feel there is scope for the service to develop further particularly for people who were living rough or not able to access online services.

Healthwatch Havering intend to schedule a follow up visit in 2017 to check on progress.