Construction work begins on extra drug and alcohol rehab capacity in the Highlands
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Drug and alcohol rehab capacity in the Highlands is set for a major boost after work began on a new redevelopment that will increase residential places in the region - and aims to cut waiting times when accessing support.
Work is now under way after leading social care charity CrossReach secured £2.4 million of funding from the Scottish Government last year as part of Holyrood’s efforts to tackle the country’s substance abuse emergency.
Once it opens its doors at the end of this year, the new annexe development will become an “additional sister service” to the existing CrossReach centre at Beechwood House in Inverness, which has been operating since 2002.
The new capacity is expected to increase residential rehab capacity across not just the Highlands, but also the Outer Hebrides and Northern Isles, with “an expected impact” on neighbouring Moray as well. It is hoped the higher capacity will also cut down on waiting times for treatment.
Staff are hoping to have the new capacity up and running by December and will be looking to announce details of the referral processes and more information about potential admission dates later in the year.
Commenting on the development, Carol Brackenridge, head of substance use for CrossReach said: ‘This has been a great project to be part of and the support from local commissioners, the Scottish Government and our design partners show the commitment to addressing substance use harms and supporting people to find the lives and recovery they are seeking. ‘
‘We will be working to ensure the centre offers a robust evidence-based program that meets the need of those it serves as well as recruiting a strong team. We would be very welcoming of the support of those with Lived and Living Experience within the team and are currently working with a LLE refence group, who have all graduated through the CrossReach volunteer program, to ensure the LLE voice has a strong input into the development and recruitment needed.
The £2.4million secured from the Scottish Government was awarded through its rapid residential rehabilitation capacity programme.
CrossReach has been working with partners to agree a design and gain planning permission, with the assistance of CRGP Architects, for this new centre and earlier this year local contractor IBI were appointed to lead the build.
Vic Walker, adult care director at CrossReach added: ‘Our new facility will help to reduce the time people are waiting to get the support they need. When people come forward for help it is vital that we respond quickly.
“Residential rehabilitation can make a huge difference for a person struggling with alcohol or drug use, for their families and for communities. Swifter access to services saves lives, and people who complete residential rehabilitation often go on to be a positive influence in their communities’.
Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said: ‘I’m very pleased to see the progress being made by Crossreach in expanding capacity at its Beechwood House centre. This will provide a capacity boost to the Highlands and Islands of up to 22 more placements a year.’
‘As part of our £250 million National Mission on drugs we’re taking a wide range of measures, including continuing to expand residential rehabilitation capacity. We have committed more than £38 million through our Capacity fund for the development of new and expanded facilities at eight projects across Scotland, including Beechwood House.’
‘According to a recent PHS report, the upward trend in placements suggests that the Scottish Government is on track to hit its target of 1,000 people publicly funded to go to rehab by 2026.’
As well as Beechwood House in Inverness, CrossReach also has a record of residential and recovery service delivery in Glasgow as well as community-based recovery services in Dundee.
