The RCGP SMU has been running evidence based training programmes for primary health care staff working with substance miusers since 2001.

Since its inception in 2001 the program has expanded to a two level course, and a new course has been introduced to meet the training needs of the Secure Environments work force.

To date, in England, over 9000 practitioners have undertake Part One or Part two, and 200 prison staff have completed the Advanced Secure Environments Module, with further practitioners successfully completing the course in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This training programme has been part of a multifaceted approach, working closing with the National Treatment Agency (Strategic Health Authority for Drug treatment) Department of Health – Prison Health, and other professional bodies. It has had a definite impact on reducing drug related deaths, an increase in average methadone doses, an increase in retention in treatment, and increased availability of Methadone Maintenance Treatment . It is hoped that these benefits will be reflected in treatment for prisoners as the RCGP SMU are now the preferred training provider for the Integrated Drug Treatment System (IDTS) workforce.

This presentation will demonstrate the contribution that the RCGP Certificate in the Management of Drug Misuse Certificate has made to standardizing good treatment provision and improved outcomes for service users. Drawing on the participants course evaluation, results from the Health Care Commission Health Improvement Reviews, and data from the Integrated Drug Treatment System it will demonstrate that evidence based training can have an impact on improved treatment outcomes for patients.