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.
Annex B
Evaluation of the Scottish Government Residential Rehabilitation Programme: Synthesis Report (Public Health Scotland, September 2026)
Recommendation 1
Deliver the actions and commitments set out in the Strategic Plan on Drugs and Alcohol 2026–2035, particularly those related to improving access to treatment, recovery and support services.
Recommendation 2
Develop a long-term approach to monitoring residential rehabilitation beyond the current programme period, including continued collection of data on access, outcomes and service quality.
Recommendation 3
Improve the wider treatment and recovery system surrounding residential rehabilitation, including access to detoxification services, recovery housing, mental health support, prison-to-rehabilitation pathways, pre-rehabilitation support and post-rehabilitation aftercare, ensuring residential rehabilitation operates as part of a coordinated continuum of care.
Recommendation 4
Strengthen the evidence base for residential rehabilitation through further research and evaluation, including understanding long-term outcomes, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, what works best for different groups, and opportunities for enhanced data linkage and longitudinal monitoring.