A new Locality Access Point in Ashfield welcomed a visit this week from Barbara Brady, Consultant in Public Health at NHS Nottinghamshire County, Paul Scarrott, Assistant Chief Constable at Nottinghamshire Police, Councillor John Wilmott, Deputy Leader and Trevor Watson, Acting Service Director Economy, both from Ashfield District Council, to find out more about the services on offer to support local people who misuse drugs or alcohol.
The Locality Access Point (LAP), which is based at Ashfield Medical Centre, Sutton in Ashfield opened its doors in November 2011 to provide quick and easy access to a range of key services and teams, as well as links to other services based in the community such as housing.
The LAP was set up by the Recovery Partnership, a group of statutory and third sector organisations across the County, led by Nottinghamshire Healthcare and including Framework Housing, Double Impact, Citizens Advice (CAB) and Hetty’s (a support agency for carers), to help improve access to and pathways through services.
The visit included an opportunity to find out more about each service and the integrated approach to care, as well as a tour of the facilities and a chance to meet with staff and service users to hear their views about the LAP. Representatives from the Recovery Partnership were also on hand to share information about its work and how it is helping people’s recovery.
As well as a range of services, the LAP also offers a timetable of sessions and activities including; therapeutic interventions, GP and nurse-led clinics, and individual and group sessions to support families and carers. The LAP has an abstinence based approach to treatment and supports the promotion of service users’ achievements of recovery milestones in their own communities.
David Manley, Clinical Director for Specialist Services at Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “We were delighted to welcome Barbara, Paul, John and Trevor to visit the excellent facilities and services we have on offer. The opening of the Locality Access Point in Ashfield by the Recovery Partnership has significantly improved access to services for local people who misuse drugs or alcohol. Through ensuring access to the right care in the right place we are making a real difference to people’s lives and helping to improve outcomes.”
A network of LAPs has been established by the Recovery Partnership across the County; this includes LAPs in Hucknall, Newark and Mansfield. For more information about the LAP contact Lorraine Bean on 01623 272002.
