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.
3. Theme 2: Quality, Safety and Clinical Governance
This theme focuses on ensuring that all residential rehabilitation services provide safe, effective, person-centred care supported by robust governance arrangements.
FRRWG Clinical Governance Recommendations
Recommendations 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7
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Strengthen regulation and governance arrangements.
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Address gaps in clinical oversight and assurance.
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Develop residential rehabilitation-specific clinical guidance.
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Improve workforce competencies and training.
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Strengthen harm reduction approaches, including naloxone provision, overdose prevention and safer discharge arrangements.
PHS Evaluation Recommendations
Recommendations 1, 2 and 3
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Ensure implementation of Strategic Plan commitments relating to service quality and mental health support.
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Promote consistent standards of care across Scotland.
The Scottish Government recognises that ensuring high-quality, safe and effective care within residential rehabilitation services is essential to improving outcomes. We have already taken steps to strengthen quality and consistency through the National Flexible Framework, which supports improved commissioning arrangements and service standards across residential rehabilitation providers. We are also working with partners across the alcohol and drug sector to support workforce development, promote evidence-based practice and strengthen harm reduction approaches.
Building on this work, we will continue to work closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the Care Inspectorate, NHS partners, providers and people with lived and living experience to consider how governance and assurance arrangements can be strengthened across residential rehabilitation services. This will include exploring options to address gaps in regulatory oversight, developing residential rehabilitation-specific clinical guidance, improving workforce capability and training, and supporting the consistent implementation of evidence-based harm reduction measures, including naloxone provision, overdose prevention and safer discharge planning.
We will also work with partners to improve the collection and use of quality and safety data to support learning, continuous improvement and accountability across the sector. Together, these actions will help ensure that everyone accessing residential rehabilitation services receives safe, effective and person-centred care, regardless of where they access support.