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.
5. Theme 4: Monitoring, Evidence and Continuous Improvement
This theme brings together recommendations relating to data, evaluation, learning and future service improvement.
FRRWG Clinical Governance Recommendations
Recommendation 5
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Improve national data collection and reporting.
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Extend monitoring of detoxification and stabilisation activity.
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Improve information to support quality assurance and service improvement.
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Strengthen the evidence base around clinical practice.
PHS Evaluation Recommendations
Recommendation 2, 4
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Develop a long-term strategy for monitoring residential rehabilitation after 2026.
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Continue data collection on access and outcomes.
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Improve understanding of long-term recovery outcomes.
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Strengthen the evidence base through further research and evaluation.
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Improve understanding of "what works for whom".
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Assess effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
The Scottish Government recognises that robust data, monitoring and evaluation are essential to delivering high-quality services, improving outcomes and supporting continuous improvement across residential rehabilitation services. Both reports highlighted the importance of strengthening the evidence base to inform policy, commissioning and service development.
We are already working with Public Health Scotland, NHS Scotland, Alcohol and Drug Partnerships and providers to improve the quality and consistency of data collected across treatment and recovery services. Through the implementation of the Strategic Plan on Alcohol and Drugs 2026-2035, we remain committed to improving our understanding of access to services, treatment outcomes and longer-term recovery journeys.
Building on the data collection arrangements established through the residential rehabilitation evaluation, we will work with Public Health Scotland, academic partners, providers and people with lived and living experience to develop a sustainable long-term approach to monitoring residential rehabilitation in Scotland. This will include exploring opportunities to improve national data collection and reporting, extend monitoring of detoxification and stabilisation activity, strengthen outcome tracking and support greater use of data for quality assurance and service improvement.
We also recognise the importance of understanding longer-term recovery outcomes and identifying which approaches are most effective for different individuals and circumstances. We will therefore continue to support research, evaluation and analytical work that strengthens understanding of service effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, improves insight into "what works for whom", and contributes to the development of an increasingly evidence-informed treatment and recovery system.
We will further explore opportunities for enhanced data linkage and collaborative research across health, social care and justice systems to improve understanding of the factors that contribute to sustained recovery and better outcomes over time. Together, these actions will strengthen the evidence base for residential rehabilitation, support accountability through established local and national governance arrangements and drive continuous improvement through routine performance review and quality assurance processes..