This locally commissioned service (LCS) supports GPs and substance misuse teams to work with patients to support their recovery from opiate drug misuse. The LCS supports a range of interventions for opioid drug dependence within primary care settings by supporting GPs and primary care teams to provide care and treatment in partnership with Islington's drug treatment system.

The LCS objectives are to:

• improve access to community substance misuse services for patients who meet the locally agreed criteria
• normalise the drug treatment process
• encourage a holistic approach by addressing the patient’s wider physical, mental and social health and wellbeing
• promote continuity of care
• promote access to additional specialist clinical treatment or input where required
• promote recovery from drug misuse.

The inclusion criteria are:

• adult patients (18+) registered with a Islington GP
• objectively opioid dependent i.e.
  • clinically assessed/observation of opioid withdrawal symptoms
  • opioid positive urinalysis (or other near patient testing methods, such as oral fluid and/or breath testing where available, with confirmatory urinalysis)
• patients who would benefit from treatment within a primary care setting and are able to adhere to appointment based treatment.