Making Progress in Dual Diagnosis – National Conference: London and Leeds

Citation

(2011), "Making Progress in Dual Diagnosis – National Conference: London and Leeds", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 4 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/add.2011.54104daa.002

Making Progress in Dual Diagnosis – National Conference: London and Leeds

Article Type: Conference news From: Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Volume 4, Issue 4

Progress (Consortium of consultant nurses in dual diagnosis) worked with Pavilion to host a national conference on Dual Diagnosis developments in the UK, one in London on the 19 September and one in Leeds on the 18 October (Figure 1). The aim of the conference was to re-focus and re-energise the dual diagnosis agenda as well as promote and showcase some new developments and research. Both event were well attended (especially pleasing in the current climate) and there is clearly still a lot of commitment, enthusiasm and energy from the delegates.

Figure 1

Highlights included Professor Christine Barrowclough from the University of Manchester who gave a plenary presentation on the MIDAS project which to date is the largest multi-site randomised controlled trial of psychological interventions for dual diagnosis (Barrowclough et al, 2010). Professor Barrowclough presented an overview of the design and methodology and the main outcomes. Whilst the MIDAS project showed that intensive therapy in addition to treatment as usual did not make a difference to overall psychiatric outcomes and use of services (compared to treatment as usual), the therapy (which consisted of therapists delivering individual motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy sessions) did show some impact on readiness to change (motivation) and reduction of consumption of drugs/alcohol on a substance using day.

Oliver Hilbery and Anna Page (paper featured in this issue) presented the Vision paper for multiple needs and exclusions, Alix Hind gave a fantastic presentation on her own personal journey from service user to paid peer support worker in Nottingham, and Professor Karen Tocque discussed the North West Alcohol and Mental Health project (Tocque et al., 2011; Currie et al., 2011; Hughes, 2011).

Progress members presented some innovative e-resources. Justine Trippier (Oxleas NHS Trust) presented the basic awareness e-learning and the online resource Acute Care Product which aims to be a resource for acute care staff in working with substance misuse through the acute care pathway (either inpatient or home treatment). Dr Cheryl Kipping (South London and Maudsley NHS Trust) gave a presentation on her experience as a steering group member in developing the recent NICE Guidance for psychosis and co-existing substance misuse. Richard Edwards (Avon and Wiltshire NHS Trust) presented his innovative work in establishing and supporting a large network of dual diagnosis link workers in the west of England.

Workshops in the afternoon were “developing a world class dual diagnosis service” and “how to implement NICE guidance”.

In addition to the presentations, there were opportunities at break and lunch to network. The delegates were encouraged to join the progress national network on LINKEDIN. This national network is open to all people interested in developing better services for people with co-existing mental health and substance use. There are already 40 members and it is hoped that this will continue to evolve with the potential to hold regional events for members. If you are interested in joining this network, go to www.linkedin.comsearch, register (if you are not already a member then search for PROGRESS – Dual diagnosis network or go to this link: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3260071&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr).

Further Information and References:

Barrowclough, C., Haddock, G., Wykes, T., Beardmore, R., Conrod, P., Craig, T., Davies, L., Dunn, G., Eisner, E., Lewis, S., Moring, J., Steel, C. and Tarrier, N. (2010), “Integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy for people with psychosis and comorbid substance misuse: randomised controlled trial”, BMJ, Vol. 341, p. c6325.

British Medical Journal 2010;341:doi:10.1136/bmj.c6325 (Published 24 November 2010 www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6325.full?sid=26db2d54-4b67-438a-8bc6-8aeb958901d9 (accessed 20 Octorber 2011).

For articles on the North West Alcohol and Mental Health Project go to Advances in Dual Diagnosis volume 4 issue 3, available at: www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=1757-0972&volume=4&issue=3&PHPSESSID=4nf97ud2ko8qoj6caeerpa2ek6

For information on Progress go to web site: www.dualdiagnosis.co.uk

For Pavilion conferences go to: www.pavpub.com