Drug Addiction Contract

We do not prescribe methadone in Filey. We pass you on to the Compass Service at 65 Falsgrave Road in Scarborough, who have the specialist experience in dealing with the problems of methadone.

I. The aim of treatment is stabilisation on a regular dose in the medium term followed by a definite plan to reduce medication thereafter with a commitment to stop drugs of addiction. Stabilisation period would usually be 1-2 months, followed by a reduction programme over a fInite period.

2. This "contract" will be agreed at the first consultation and confirmed in writing with the patient.

3. Before any medication is prescribed, current medication will be confirmed

· by contacting the patient's previous GP

· by notifying the Home Office and checking with the register

· by arranging for a sample of urine to be analysed to confirm the patient's drug history . The sample will be passed on the premises and the collection supervised. It is in your interests to be truthful at all times about your drug use.

4. Prescriptions will not be issued under duress before checks have been made. Withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant but not life-threatening and have no long term implications.

5. Prescriptions will not be issued out of hours. No prescription will be replaced under any circumstances, in hours or out of hours.

6. Prescriptions will only be issued by one doctor except by prior arrangement with other doctors at times of holiday. Do not tell anyone else who your doctor is. If we found out this has happened we will consider this as a breach of this contract.

7. Prescriptions will only be issued for a limited supply. In any instance this will not be more than seven days and will often be less, particularly in the initial assessment period.

8. If the patient is leaving the district temporarily the GP will contact a pharmacy in the area to be visited, confirm arrangements and post a prescription to that pharmacy in advance. This will all take time and adequate notice of at least two weeks must be given.

9. We do not prescribe methadone or heroin in Filey. Instead, we pass you on to the Compass Service at 65 Falsgrave Road in Scarborough, who have the specialist experience in dealing with the problems of methadone. We expect patients to read the methadone handbook in order to understand their treatment and its aims.

10. As with all new patients to the practice we will include an assessment of other health issues. This will include specific issues relating to drug use and related health problems.

Any variation from the above will require referral to a specialist service.

We expect all patients to attend promptly for appointments. The practice will not accept aggressive, intoxicated, threatening, abusive or demanding behaviour to staff, doctors or other patients. We may remove patients from our list in these circumstances.

I confIrm I have read and agree to the above.

Signed........................................(patient) Signed........................................(doctor)

Date..........................................

Compass (Methadone Maintenance) 01723 503920 / via York 01904 637121 / 01904 636374

65 Falsgrave Road, Scarborough