Registrations open for the launch of consultation on the implementation of MAT Standards for Scotland

Registration is now open for the launch event of the Consultation on the Implementation of the Ten Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Standards for Scotland.

This event is being hosted by Scottish Drugs Forum, The MAT Subgroup of the Drug Deaths Task Force and Public Health Scotland.

You can reserve your place at the event by registering here.

20 November 2020 / 13.00 – 14.30
online via GoToWebinar

The ten MAT Standards, developed through the work of the Drug Death Task Force’s MAT Sub-group, are a key part of the response to Scotland’s drug-related deaths public health emergency. They represent the basis for a transformational change of the experiences of people engaged with MAT services in Scotland.

The event will share learning from the initial improvement work in delivering Standards 1-5 that deal with service access and engagement. The Standards 6-10 deal with system wide approaches and there will be a series of online workshops after this event to discuss all ten standards.

This event will feature presentations from

• People currently using MAT services in Scotland
• Joe FitzPatrick, Scottish Government Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing
• Dr Duncan McCormick, Chair, Drug Death Task Force MAT Subgroup
• Elinor Dickie, Organisational Lead, Public Health Scotland
• Tracey Clusker, Clinical Lead, MAT Standards
• Dr Saket Priyadarshi, Associate Medical Director and Senior Medical Officer, Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services
• Kate Ainslie, Community Addictions Nurse, Borders Addiction Service

The event will be chaired by David Liddell, CEO, Scottish Drugs Forum

People attending this event will subsequently be invited to attend online Workshops to discuss the opportunities and challenges arising from implementation.

Due to Scottish Government COVID-19 restrictions the launch event will be held online via GoToWebinar and the Workshops will be held via Microsoft Teams.

Early booking is advised, you can register by clicking here.

The Medication Assisted Treatment Standards are :

1. People have the option to start MAT from the same day of presentation.
2. People are supported to make an informed choice on what medication to use for MAT and the most appropriate dose.
3. People (in or out of drug treatment) at high risk of drug-related harm are identified, prioritised, contacted and offered support to commence or continue MAT or other treatment.
4. People can access evidence-based harm reduction at the point of MAT delivery.
5. People receive support to remain in treatment for as long as requested.
6. The system that provides MAT is both psychologically & trauma informed (tier 1); routinely delivers evidence-based low intensity (tier 2) psychosocial interventions to support engagement, change, and recovery management; and supports the development of positive and supportive social networks.
7. People have the option of MAT shared with Primary Care.
8. People have access to advocacy and support for housing, welfare and income needs from presentation to services.
9. People with a co-occurring substance use and mental health difficulties can receive mental health care at the point of MAT delivery.
10. People receive trauma informed care.

(*The term Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) is used to refer to the use of medication, such as opioids, together with any psychological and social support, in the treatment and care of individuals who experience problems with their drug use.)