Residential rehabilitation recommendations: SG response
The Scottish Government response to recommendations from the Future of Residential Rehabilitation Working Group (FRRWG) and Public Health Scotland (PHS) on residential rehabilitation sets out actions to improve access, quality, clinical governance and recovery support. It outlines commitments to strengthen pathways, workforce capability, evidence, monitoring and long-term recovery outcomes.
2. Theme 1: Access, Pathways and System Capacity
This theme brings together recommendations focused on ensuring people can access the right support, at the right time, through clear and effective pathways.
FRRWG Clinical Governance Recommendations
Recommendation 1, 3, 4
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Develop stabilisation services and stronger pathways into rehabilitation and other forms of treatment.
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Promote consistent participation in the National Flexible Framework.
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Strengthen coordination between residential rehabilitation, NHS services and community-based support.
PHS Evaluation Recommendations
Recommendation 1, 3
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Implement commitments within the Strategic Plan on Alcohol and Drugs 2026-2035.
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Increase access to detoxification services.
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Improve support for mental health needs.
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Expand recovery housing.
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Improve access to residential rehabilitation for people leaving prison.
The Scottish Government recognises that increasing access to residential rehabilitation remains a key priority. Through the Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026-2035, we are already taking forward a range of actions to improve access to treatment and recovery services, including increasing access to detoxification, supporting local areas to meet the needs of individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs, expanding recovery housing provision, and improving pathways into residential rehabilitation for people leaving prison.
We continue to invest record levels of funding in alcohol and drug services, including support for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and residential rehabilitation provision across Scotland. The Scottish Government invested an additional £250 million through the National Mission on Drugs between 2021 and 2026 and is now taking forward its new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026-2035, backed by £160 million in 2026-27. In addition, a new three year, £36.9 million Alcohol and Drugs Fund, administered independently by the Corra Foundation, is supporting third sector prevention, treatment, recovery and harm reduction services across Scotland. In addition to this ongoing investment, we will work with NHS Boards, Public Health Scotland, Health and Social Care Partnerships, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, housing providers, justice partners and the third sector to strengthen pathways into treatment and recovery and improve coordination between services.
We recognise the important role that detoxification, stabilisation services, recovery housing and wider community supports play in enabling people to access and sustain recovery. We will therefore explore opportunities to expand capacity where there is identified need, strengthen transitions between services, and ensure that individuals with complex and multiple needs receive joined-up, person-centred support throughout their recovery journey.