Summary:
Key points
CQC analysed inspection reports of 68 independent sector services that offered residential detoxification for people who are withdrawing from drugs and/or alcohol. A substantial proportion of these services did not provide good quality care and treatment. Common concerns included:
• Providers that did not assess risk to individual clients adequately.
• Doctors and nurses that did not follow best practice guidance when assisting clients to withdraw from alcohol and/or drugs.
• Poor management of medicines, including controlled drugs.
• Providers that did not provide staff with the training required to work with this client group.
• Failure to safeguard clients by carrying out employment checks on staff.