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Harbour Drug and Alcohol services - Plymouth

Mission Statement

Harbour Drug and Alcohol Services, also known simply as Harbour, is a Plymouth based agency which works in partnership with the Voluntary Sector, Social Services and the NHS (Livewell SW), whose operation is managed by the Harbour Centre - a registered charity (no. 293721) and a company limited by guarantee (no.1984863).

Since the 1980s, Harbour has been known for its innovative and collaborative approach in dealing with drug and alcohol issues in the community. The agency's services extend into many areas of health and social need through collaboration with a wide range of other organisations in Plymouth and the South West. We offer a safe place for people to explore how they can make positive changes in their lives.

Harbour's work is focused on the needs of our clients to provide:

  • Treatment that will enable people to recover from their misuse of drugs and alcohol.
  • Advice, information and care to prevent harm caused by substance misuse.
  • Support to families and carers during the recovery process.

We aim to provide effective and efficient services for adults and young people in the community based on the needs of the individual.

  • To be a centre of excellence for delivering services to individuals, families and communities helping people to lead safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.
  • To ensure that everyone working in Harbour has the skills, abilities and motivation to deliver excellence through a continual process of learning and improvement.
  • To be a preferred provider, or partner, for the regional commissioners, health and social services, criminal justice services and other agencies.
  • To continuously raise public awareness and seek innovative responses to the needs that exist around drug and alcohol problems.

Scope

  • Young people and adults registered with a GP and living in the Plymouth city boundary
  • Young people's services up to 18 years entitled SHARP working with young people who perceive they have a problem with substances including alcohol. This service includes a transitions worker into adult services
  • Referrals accepted from GPs and Professionals but self-referral equally acceptable and encouraged
  • Needle Exchange – self-referral – no commitment
  • A discreet service for professionals who cannot be treated within their area of residence.

Out of scope

  • Korsakoffs.
  • People who are currently in prison
  • People who do not live in the city boundary despite GP registration
  • People who have received and still have a live ban from Harbour Services.
    • We will review all clients who have been banned.
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History and examination

It would always be useful if making the referral yourself, rather than suggesting client self-referral, to include the following:-

  • Tell us about any recorded history of violence to staff or other patients or treatment provider/ or patients visiting as treatment provider
  • Medication current and history
  • If alcohol – LFT (Liver Function Test) bloods & GGT (gamma GT)

Diagnosis/complexity

  • We have a stepped model of treatment with no specific time limitations.
  • All clients referred (self-referral will be given a self-assessment form to complete and or offered a next day appointment to be seen and an assessment started)
  • Once returned we will send appointment to client for assessment.
  • Consider sending GP Summary – include any long term conditions
  • AUDIT C and Audit – Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ)
    • (these are scales used to determine extent of alcohol use/misuse/abuse)

We are not a crisis/emergency service. All drug/alcohol related emergencies to Minor Injury departments, Police etc

If alcohol – LFT bloods & GGT

Referral Criteria

GPs will need to obtain the clients consent before referring to this service.
All enquiries will be signposted within the service

Access to internal Harbour and Livewell SW Partnership service which include:

*All through single access to Harbour Drugs & Alcohol services

  • ASP – Alcohol Service for Parents
  • Community detoxification (Livewell SW)
  • Needle Exchange/Safer Injecting Service
  • Family support services (Children's Social Care)
  • Facilitating access to residential rehabilitation and residential detoxification (Adult social care within Livewell SW)

Facilitating access to Complex and multiple needs team

  • Integrated Offender Management (IOM), Criminal Justice Intervention Team (CJIT) Drug Intervention Programme (DIP) -, through a partnership of Police, Harbour, Livewell SW and Probation. Referral to these services only through the criminal justice system
  • Prescribing Services (previously PSAS, Plymouth Specialist addiction service)
  • Facilitated access to Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Services including liaison with Hepatology
Self-referrals
  • Can we ask that self-referrals are in person at HPH, Mutley Plain or by Phone

Address

Opening times Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm. Later appointments are available on Wednesday evenings. All services except the needle exchange are by appointment only.

New referrals will be offered next day appointments

GP Information

AUDIT C and Audit – Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ)

NICE Clinical Guidance - Alcohol-use disorders

Patient information

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcohol concern

Drinkaware

Harbour Drug & alcohol services

Long-term Condition Self-Management Programme

GPs and patients can refer to Improving Lives Plymouth for patient support with any long-term physical or low level mental health condition. The service helps people to better manage their condition and to achieve a better quality of life.

Evidence

NICE Clinical Guidance - Alcohol-use disorders

Pathway Group

This guideline has been signed off by the Psychological Therapies Strategic and Implementation Group on behalf of NHS Devon.

Publication date: April 2017
Updated: October 2018

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