Methodological changes to reporting drug and alcohol
treatment information: what these mean for you
What: new methodological changes to reporting adult substance misuse activity and
outcomes will align the way treatment journeys are reported across alcohol and
drugs, and the way clients are categorised by their problem substances. The latter
change results in two new groupings for some reports from 2014-15. This note
explains the changes, their expected impact and associated timings, and which
reports are affected.
The table below explains the new substance groups that will be used. For a more
detailed explanation of the changes, see ‘Introducing combined drug and alcohol
journeys into performance data reports and metrics’.
Seven mutually exclusive groups
to be used in routine adult performance
and activity monitoring reports from
2014-15 (eg, partnership and providerlevel activity reports)
1. Opiate only
2. Opiate and alcohol
3. Opiate and non-opiate
4. Opiate, alcohol and non-opiate
5. Non-opiate only
6. Alcohol only
7. Alcohol and non-opiate
Four mutually exclusive groups
to be used in adult high-level strategic
reports from 2014-15 (eg, DOMES and
successful completion reports)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Opiate
Alcohol only
Non-opiate only
Alcohol and non-opiate
Why: at present, an adult recorded with a primary alcohol treatment episode
concurrent with, or followed by, a primary drug one is reported twice, as two
separate treatment journeys. Some 6,000 adult clients have been double counted in
this way. A combined treatment journey methodology removes this anomaly and was
supported by a majority of respondents to the consultation the National Treatment
Agency conducted last year. This exercise also lent support to expanding the
primary substance categorisation as outlined above.
Expected impact: the provisional data accompanying this note demonstrates the
changes that will be seen at a PHE centre and local authority-level for completions
and re-presentations. Following this, prior to the start of 2014-15, all the key
indicators in DOMES will be released for Q3 using existing methodology as well as
another report that uses the new methodology. This will enable partnerships,
providers and PHE centre teams to see the local impact of the changes and to plan
accordingly.
When: these proposed changes will come into effect in some adult reports during
2014-15. Some key dates for this are:
 late May: first tranche of 2014-15 monthly reports released – new drug
categories
 Q1 2014-15 reports (and beyond): DOMES, activity report (green report for
drugs and purple report for alcohol combined) and outcomes report(s) will all
include the new drug categories.
Reports affected and not affected by the new methodology
Reports adopting the new
methodology
Reports not currently changing
DOMES
Activity reports (green drugs and
purple alcohol reports combined)
Outcomes report(s) will all use the new
methodology from 2014-15
Successful completion reports
(partnership and provider)
Successful completion PHOF: The new
methodology will not affect the PHOF
indicator – but may in the future
Annual statistics (adult alcohol and
drugs): not likely to change for 2014-15
reports; any changes to 2015-16 report(s)
subject to public consultation in Q1/2
2015-16.
Young people’s reports: unaffected by
methodological change. New look
executive summary and assurance
reports due between Q3 and Q4 2013-14
following introduction of core date set L in
November 2013.
Criminal justice reports: unaffected by
methodological change. PHE is currently
consulting on how to develop the DIP
reporting stream following transfer of
DIRDET/DIRWeb from the Home Office.
RDT and needs assessment pack: no
decision has been made yet; any
changes will be subject to consultation
via NDTMS.net and DAMs
PbR reports: no change, will keep the
method agreed at pilot start
PCC reports: currently unaffected by
methodological change
Published March 2014
PHE publications gateway number: 2013529