Providing Care to Drug Users on Wirral: a case study analysis of a Primary Health Care / General Practice-led drug service

Abstract

This paper represents a case study analysis of a Primary Health Care / GP-led Community Drug and Health Care Service based on Wirral, Merseyside. A chronological description of the service is presented followed by a description of the major components of the case. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 11 staff members and were recorded and transcribed. Salient descriptive elements of the services they provide were extracted and descriptions of the treatment approaches have been included in the text of this analysis. Vignettes of real cases are also included to highlight the criteria used to measure effectiveness. This case study details biographical and service-specific data from a major provider of services to illicit drug users in the North-West of England. The study systematically examines five main areas of work: making contact, assessing and treating health care problems, maintaining contact and promoting change, caring for vulnerable groups of users and reintegrating users into primary care. The findings of this case study describe how a GP (Primary Care) led unit, working in conjunction with other specialized services, provides effective care to a group of heterogeneous illicit drug users.