Phoenix Futures is the country ’ s largest provider of residential services , and in my role as head of residential access and placements I ’ ve been able to help overcome barriers and challenge systems to support better access to residential care . This has included the development of fast access to intensive treatment when opportunities to engage people arise .

Artur had been a lorry driver but found himself rough sleeping following two bereavements that saw him become alcohol dependent and his life spiral . He was supported by the Essex drug and alcohol street support team ( DASS ), and while he was able to attend appointments he found it difficult to fully engage in structured treatment because of his alcohol use and circumstances . His worker and the dual diagnosis team felt he would benefit from more intensive treatment in a residential setting and started working through the local

processes to do so . However , when Artur had a fall and was hospitalised he commenced a detox on the ward .

The DASS team visited Artur and were able to have meaningful engagement and discuss residential treatment as an option . Artur was in agreement , and a referral to Phoenix ’ s Wirral Residential service saw an assessment conducted the next day and his suitability confirmed . The hospital supported a short additional stay before discharge to allow the DASS team to get everything in place , such as gathering his belongings which were in various locations and arranging transport . This opportunistic response and the ability to work outside the usual local pathways gave Artur the chance to access the intensive treatment he needed and wanted at the right time . He went on to complete his placement .

We got a call one Wednesday from a prison worker who explained that Aaron had an unexpected hearing the next day and may be granted release on the Monday . If this was to happen , Aaron wanted to go to residential treatment and could we support that ? We facilitated an assessment and made arrangements for safe admission

on the Monday . Aaron was granted release and is settling well into his programme .

Following this response the same prison contacted us about Tim , who was being released under the early release scheme the following week . For a number of reasons this would be on a Friday , so we worked with the prison to ensure prescribing that covered the weekend and that we could collect ahead of his arrival – acknowledging that commencing a detox after a day of travel and at the weekend was not ideal . Tim arrived safely and continued his current dosage of opiate substitute treatment , and on Monday our detox GP started his detox regime . Tim completed his detox and is continuing his residential treatment programme .

Recent feedback from a referrer was that our admissions teams are ‘ extremely client focused ’ and I think this is central to the success of these fast-track placements – the teams are happy to be flexible to respond as needed . They put the person ’ s needs first , and understand the responses

Our admissions teams are ' extremely client focused ’ and I think this is central to the success of these fast-track placements – the teams are happy to be flexible to respond as needed .

needed to achieve that . Jessica Douglas is head of residential access and placements at Phoenix Futures

For more information on capturing motivation for rehab visit https :// www . phoenix-futures . org . uk / phoenix-futures-for / commissioners-and-professionals / residential-treatment-bestpractice-guidance /

Asmakar | Dreamstime . com