Planned alcohol Outcomes for NDTMS dataset April 2013
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) have announced alcohol treatment data outcomes will be included as part of the core NDTMS dataset for drug and alcohol treatment services. See here for the NTA's summary report [pdf].
As part of a consultation earlier this year, alcohol consumption was agreed as the key indicator of successful treatment outcomes. Therefore from April 2013, services will be required to be monitor alcohol consumption through NDTMS at start (assessment) and finish (discharge) of treatment via the two following measures:
- How many days in the last 28 have you had an alcoholic drink?
- On an average drinking day in the last 28, how many units of alcohol were consumed?
In addition, a secondary outcome measure will assess physical and psychological health as part of the core dataset as currently included in the drug Treatment Outcome Profile (TOP) form. Poor physical and mental health is strongly associated with alcohol misuse so, tool, from April 2013 NDTMS will also assess at start and finish:
- Client’s rating of physical health status (extent of physical symptoms and bothered by illness) – scored 0-20 (poor to good)
- Client’s rating of psychological health status (anxiety, depression and problem emotions and feelings) – scored 0-20 (poor to good)
The most recent alcohol treatment statistics are available in the Statistics from the National Alcohol Treatment Monitoring System (NATMS) 1st April 2010 - 31st March 2011. See here for NICE alcohol guidance on treatment and commissioning.
The NTA will cease to exist as of April 2013 as its functions will come under Public Health England.
Alcohol Payment by Results (PbR) update
A progress statement on the alcohol PbR pilots identifies the current status of the project:
'Packages of care', based on NICE guidance have been developed to support each cluster and treatment outcome measures are being explored. Four pilot areas have been testing out these products and how they can report costs for treatment based on the currencies / clusters.
When they are fit for purpose, we will make them available for future use by local authorities and alcohol treatment providers'
See here for a Alcohol PbR overview presentation.
Comments