PALS Link Worker:
Yvonne Dyer Tel: 020 7381 7766
Service Description
Central and North West London (CNWL) Mental Health NHS Trust, Substance Misuse Service, Community Assessment and Primary Service (CAPS) aims to assist people with drug and alcohol problems to begin the process of stability and healing. CAPS is the access point to the Substance Misuse Service, Drug Treatment Centres and Injectable Clinic.
Mission Statement
"Our mission is to provide a range of specialist health care interventions for individuals and families who are affected by the misuse of alcohol and drugs within the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. We are committed to a programme of research, training and staff development in order to offer services which enhance and maintain well-being".
How to Access CAPS
There are three ways you can access CAPS:
- You can walk in during drop-in hours (Monday to Friday 10.30 - 12.00). When you arrive, we will offer a confidential 15-30 minutes interview with a nurse. The nurse will then discuss a plan with you. If you need further assessment or treatment you will be given an assesment appointment.
- Your service provider can refer you by letter. We review referrals the day that they arrive. We may talk to your referrer. If you require any further assessment, you will be given an assessment appointment.
- In some cases your GP can refer you to the CAPS Clincial Nurse Specialist attached to their practice. The nurse can assess you at your GP's surgery or at the CAPS clinic.
Before you decide to drop-in or be referred, you may wish to phone the clinic. You may phone Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Phone calls are confidential and can be anonymous if you wish.
If you need an assessment:
A short interview when you walk in or consulatation with your service provider may be enough to meet your needs. You may not need further contact with us.
If you do need further assessment you will be given an appointment. At this appointment a nurse and a doctor will review your drug and alcohol use, physical and mental health and social situation and discuss your needs and goals with you. They may request your permission to take urine and blood samples and to contact relevant people.
Following assessment, the doctor or nurse will discuss a treatment plan with you. They may offer to refer you on to another service, or may offer you admission to CAPS for a short period of treatment and support.
Treatment at CAPS
Before admission you must have been referred (see How to Access CAPS) and have been assessed by a CAPS doctor. Your treatment will last between four to six weeks. The CAPS medical team prescribes treatment. You will be treated as an outpatient and will need to attend daily for dispensing unless your doctor decides otherwise. Dispensing occurs between 9.30am and 10.15am, Monday to Friday.
It may be better for your GP, or another doctor, to treat you. In this case we would wish to discuss your treatment with them (only with your permission) to see if this could be arranged. We can provide ongoing consultation to your doctor to support your treatment.
Treatment Packages Include:
- Detoxification from opiates, alcohol and benzodiazepines.
- Methadone stabilisation, where a doctor has agreed to continue your treatment following stabilisation.
- Stimulant users are encouraged to contact us to discuss options that may be of use to them.
You will be allocated a Clinical Nurse Specialist as your keyworker and will meet with them within a week of admission. Your keyworker will develop a care plan with you to support your treatment and follow-up care.
Aftercare
Drug and alcohol problems can take years to develop, often going back before the use of drugs and alcohol themselves. It can be hard to make and keep positive changes. Furthermore, the damage done by drug and alcohol misuse can create many needs for services, such as medical care or job training. Because a short period of treatment may not be enough, we will work with you to access longer-term services and support. CAPS does not provide aftercare itself, though we do support GPs and others providing it.
Confidentiality
Your treatment files are confidential to CNWL's Substance Misuse Service and will not leave the building without your permission, unless you transfer to another treatment unit within the Substance Misuse Service.
Complaints
Many complaints can be resolved immediately by discussing your complaint with a member of staff. However, if you are still not satisfied, ask the staff member to help you fill in an official complaint recording form. Alternatively you can write in with a confidential complaint which will be processed through a formal Complaints Procedure. Information on the Complaints Procedure is available on request. In addition, instructions on how to make a complaint are clearly displayed in client waiting areas.
Additional Facilities
There is wheelchair access at Crowther Market. Please note that not all areas of SMS have wheelchair access and you are advised to check beforehand.
Children
Unfortunately there are no play areas or childcare facilities at Crowther Market. Children are welcome but we request that parents and guardians be responsible for them at all times. Children are welcome at the Women's Session (1.30-4.30pm Thursdays) at Wolverton Gardens, W6. Assessment by staff is available at this venue to drop-in and referred clients.
Travelling Expenses
Fares will be reimbursed provided:
a) You receive income support or family credit.
b) You have a valid London Transport Ticket showing the cost, date and time of travel.
Equal Opportunities
All clients have the right to receive care irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, belief, sexual orientation, health or social status.