Substance Misuse Management in General Practice
News & Events

Courses & Events

Please note: The following events are listed in order or their start date...

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DoH: Hepatitis C Awareness & Training Event
Date: Tuesday 16 March 2010

(Info last updated 10 March 2010)
Greater Manchester Hepatitis C Strategy

Hepatitis C Awareness & Training Event in Greater Manchester for Primary Healthcare Professionals
Date: Tuesday 16 March 2010, 6.00pm-9.00pm
Venue: The City of Manchester Stadium, Rowsley Street, Manchester M11 3FF
Cost: FREE

The Association of Greater Manchester PCTs would like to invite you to the above event.

The purpose of this event is to help raise awareness of hepatitis C, as primary care can play a crucial role in increasing the detection and diagnosis of the virus. There is effective treatment available to prevent progression to serious liver damage.

Mr Abdul Razzaq, Director of Public Health at NHS Trafford, is the keynote speaker. There will be a clinical presentation from Dr Narendra Kochar, Hepatologist from Manchester Royal Infirmary, who will describe local services and pathways into care. Siobhan Fahey, the manager of the Association of Greater Manchester PCTs Hepatitis C Strategy, will describe its implementation and Shabana Begum, South Asian Projects Manager for the Hepatitis C Trust and ambassador for the Department of Health campaign, will discuss hepatitis C from a patient's point of view.

A buffet supper will be available.

A certificate of attendance will be available towards two hours of CPD for all professionals.

Documents relating to the event can be downloaded below in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

For more information or to book a place, please contact:

Dot Hynes
Tel: 0161 655 7464
E-mail: dot.hynes@hmr.nhs.uk

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Conf: Families, Drugs & Alcohol - Involvement or Support?
Date: Tuesday 23 March 2010

(Info last updated 17 February 2010)
Pavilion, Adfam

Be Careful What You Wish For:
Families, Drugs & Alcohol - Involvement or Support?

Date: Tuesday 23 March 2010, 10.00am-4.30pm
Venue: ORT House Conference Centre, 126 Albert Street, London NW1 7NE
Cost: See Conference Programme (downloadable below)

About the conference

Since it was established in 1984, Adfam has worked to support families affected by substance misuse. Over the past year, it has been evolving into an umbrella organisation, committed to representing the views of its supporters to policy makers and opinion shapers. As part of this development, Adfam has consulted with professionals and volunteers across a wide range of sectors to gather information about the issues which are crucial to the future of family support.

These issues inform Adfam's manifesto, and reveal the challenges and debates for anyone who works with families where substance misuse is a matter of concern.

Aims of the conference

The Government's drugs strategy 2008, emphasised the importance of support for families. But whilst recognition in policy is to be welcomed, challenges to delivering a cohesive and universal service still remain. The overall purpose of this conference is to present and debate the key issues for the future of family support, informed by intelligence collected from Adfam's series of consultations.

  • To launch the Adfam manifesto for families;
  • To present new research about families and substance misuse;
  • To present and offer an opportunity to debate the issues facing family support;
  • To consider what family support and involvement looks like.

Key themes:

  • Families and workforce development.
  • Families' involvement in treatment.
  • Support and interventions for families in their own right.
  • The cost of caring for a drug user.
  • Families and primary care.
  • Think Family: the DCSF perspective.

Who should attend?

  • Practitioners, managers and service managers in social care, health and children's services;
  • Drugs and alcohol professionals;
  • Family support practitioners and commissioners;
  • Service users and carers;
  • Parenting practitioners;
  • Statutory sector commissioners, government, local authority and DATs.
  • The Conference Programme & Registration Form can be downloaded below in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

    For more information please contact:

    Pavilion
    Richmond House
    Richmond Road
    Brighton BN2 3RL
    Tel: 0844 880 5061
    Fax: 0844 880 5062
    E-mail: info@pavpub.com
    Web: www.pavpub.com

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    BPS: Who Can Champion Recovery?
    Date: Wednesday 24 March 2010

    (Info last updated 07 March 2010)
    British Psychological Society (BPS)

    Who Can Champion Recovery?
    Division of Clinical Psychology
    Faculty of Addictions:
    CPD Half Day Event

    Date: Wednesday 24 March 2010, 1pmm-4pm
    Venue: BPS London Office, 30 Tabernacle Street, London EC2A 4UE
    Cost: Free for Faculty of Addiction members, £20 all others.

    Dr David Best, Reader in Criminal Justice, University of the West of Scotland

    The concept of "recovery" is emerging as a new paradigm for supporting long-term change in the addictions field. But what does the concept really mean and can everyone equally claim to be promoting recovery for people with drug and alcohol problems? The addictions field also has the opportunity to learn from the successes of the recovery movement in mental health - but how robust are these parallels?

    Dr David Best will lead the afternoon by presenting current thinking about recovery with a particular emphasis on the potential psychologists may have to develop these ideas and practices, and will present data about the pathways to recovery evidenced in two UK studies and the impact this is having on policy and practice across the UK. An open discussion to explore these ideas will follow.

    The Conference Flyer & Application Form can be dowloaded below in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

    Bookings should be made by 19 March 2010.

    For bookings and enquiries contact:

    Andre Geel
    Consultant Clinical Psychologist
    The Junction Service
    27 Station Road
    London NW10 4UP
    Tel: 020 8961 7007
    E-mail: andre.geel@nhs.net

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    Conf: Children, Young People & Alcohol
    Date: Friday 26 March 2010

    (Info last updated 17 February 2010)
    University of Glasgow, Faculty of Medicine

    Drinking Their Lives Away? Children, Young People & Alcohol
    Date: Friday 26 March 2010, 10.00am-4.15pm
    Venue: Hilton Grosvenor Hotel, 1-9 Grosvenor Terrace, Glasgow, G12 0TA
    Cost: £197 including lunch and refreshments

    More than 10,000 children end up in hospital every year due to drinking and research tells us that 15% of young people think that it is normal to get drunk once a week. In addition, it is estimated that almost 1 million children live with an alcohol-dependent parent in the UK today, impacting on all areas of their lives and potentially encouraging social and behavioural issues.

    Our expert speakers will provide you with knowledge updates, best practice and information on initiatives throughout Scotland and the UK.

    This conference should be of interest to a wide range of professionals including those from education, social care and health settings, police, community safety teams, drugs and alcohol teams, local authorities, youth offending teams, probation officers, academics and anyone with an interest in this area.

    5 great reasons to attend:

    • Learn from leading experts
    • Share best practice
    • Hear about new Scottish initiatives
    • Explore effective interventions
    • Debate the best way to challenge this problem

    Accommodation

    Glasgow has a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget. For further information and ideas please visit www.seeglasgow.com

    Certificate of attendance

    All delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance from the University of Glasgow.

    Registration

    To register for this conference, please complete the registration form (downloadable below), detach and return no later than Wednesday 17 March 2010.

    It is advisable to return the form ASAP as places are restricted. Further information will be sent to each delegate on receipt of the completed registration form.

    The Conference Programme & Registration Form can be downloaded below in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

    For more information please contact:

    Jennie Leitch
    Senior Events Assistant
    University of Glasgow
    Tel: (0141) 201 0825
    Fax: (0141) 201 0674
    E-mail: j.leitch@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
    Web: www.gla.ac.uk

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    RCGP: 15th National Conference
    Date: Thursday 22 - Friday 23 April 2010

    (Info last updated 17 February 2010)
    RCGP, SMMGP, Healthcare Events Limited

    RCGP 15th National Conference:
    Working with Drug & Alcohol Users in Primary Care -
    Integrating Practice and Policy: Everyone's Business

    Date: Thursday 22 - Friday 23 April 2010
    Venue: SECC, Glasgow

    This conference is the largest event in the UK for GPs, shared care workers, drug users, nurses and other primary care staff, specialists, commissioners and researchers interested in and involved with the management of drug and alcohol users in primary care.

    "I look forward to this conference all year because there is genuine debate wth all views being heard and considered and it is full of people who genuinely care''
    - User Advocate, April 2009

    Building on the success of past conferences, this long-standing event returns now, for its 15th consecutive year, to examine the critical role primary care plays in working with drug and alcohol users, their families and carers.

    The two days focus upon integrating practice and policy, exploring the challenges, benefits and developments in practice today, with a Scottish flavour. Through an ensemble of over 40 factual, interactive and educational presentations, select special interest sessions, presented papers and films delegates will have the opportunity to explore a variety of topics including:

    • Exploring the recovery debate and personalisation of treatment.
    • Redefining harm reduction.
    • Integration of the whole treatment system.
    • Discussing linkage between use of substances, deprivation, social exclusion and poverty.

    Conference features:

    • Formal conference sessions
    • Interactive workshops
    • Poster displays and paper presentations
    • Exhibition
    • Dedicated networking opportunities

    Keynote Speakers include:

    • Marcus Roberts Director of Policy Drugscope.
    • James Egan Head of Policy and Practice Scottish Drugs Forum.
    • Roy Robertson GP and Reader University of Edinburgh.
    • Anne Whittaker Nurse Facilitator (Drugs/Alcohol/BBV) NHS Lothian.

    The conference also includes an exhibition and poster display throughout the event and a taste of Scotland reception and evening function on day one - an opportunity to further discussions and share personal knowledge and experiences with fellow attendees and speakers.

    Set in the heart of Glasgow, we have chosen the SECC to host this year's event. Glasgow is one of the most dynamic cities in Europe, with one of the worst illicit drug and alcohol problems, and the perfect setting for our conference. As the UK's largest event of its kind, the conference is a truly unique experience for all, and a diary date you won't want to miss.

    Full conference details, including programme, venue information and application form, are available in the Conference Programme & Application Form, which can be downloaded below in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

    For general information about the event, or to request a printed conference brochure, please contact:

    Hanisha
    Tel: 020 8541 1399
    E-mail: hanisha@healthcare-events.co.uk

    For information about exhibiting at the event please contact:

    Carolyn Goodbody
    Tel: 020 8481 0354
    E-mail: carolyn@healthcare-events.co.uk

    Presentations and other documents from the highly successful 2009 RCGP Conference (Liverpool, 7-8th May) are available in the Past Reports & Presentations area of the RCGP Conferences section together with those from all previous RCGP conferences.

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    IHRA: 21st International Harm Reduction Conference
    Date: Sunday 25 - Thursday 29 April 2010

    IHRA: 21st International Harm Reduction Conference

    (Info last updated 17 August 2009)
    IHRA

    21st International Harm Reduction Conference
    Date: Sunday 25 - Thursday 29 April 2010
    Venue: Liverpool

    The 21st International Harm Reduction Conference returns to its roots in Liverpool! These conferences have been held around the world for two decades and, for 2010, it is returning to the city which hosted the first conference in 1990 - Liverpool, England.

    Over five days, this conference will be the main meeting point for all those interested in harm reduction, and an invaluable platform for advocacy, debate, and discussion. For nearly two decades, these events have been the key forum for the dissemination of harm reduction ideas and practice, and have helped to put harm reduction on the map.

    For further information please visit...

    Web: www.ihraconferences.net

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    RCPSYCH: Faculty of Addictions Annual Residential Meeting
    Date: Thursday 29 - Friday 30 April 2010

    (Info last updated 11 March 2010)
    Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPSYCH), Faculty of Addictions

    Faculty of Addictions Annual Residential Meeting
    Date: Thursday 29 - Friday 30 April 2010
    Venue: Bristol Hotel, Prince Street, Bristol BS1 4QF

    Full Event Programme and Booking Form can be downloaded below in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

    For more information about the event, or to book a place, please contact:

    Dela Goka
    The Conference Office
    Royal College of Psychiatrists
    17 Belgrave Square
    London SW1X 8PG
    Tel: (020) 7235 2351 x 6145
    Fax: (020) 7235 7976
    E-mail: dgoka@rcpsych.ac.uk

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    BOP: Women and Children First
    Date: Tuesday 25 May 2010

    (Info last updated 27 February 2010)
    Brighton Oasis Project (BOP)

    Women and Children First:
    Supporting Female Substance Misusers and their Families

    Date: Tuesday 25 May 2010,
    Venue: Audrey Emerton Building, Brighton
    Cost: £120 per person including lunch and refreshments

    Brighton Oasis Project has over 12 years experience delivering community based substance misuse interventions to women. This conference will bring together speakers from a variety of disciplines to discuss issues affecting female substance misusers and their children.

    Speakers and Workshops Include:

    • David Spicer - Barrister
    • Professor Angie Hart - Professor of Child, Family and Community Health
    • Joss Smith - Head of Policy and Regional Development, Adfam
    • Gretchen Precey - Independent Social Worker and Chair of Brighton Oasis Project
    • Dr Anita Green - Dual Diagnosis Nurse Consultant, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
    • Dr Neil Aiton - Consultant, Trevor Mann Baby Unit, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
    • Shelly Stoops - Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), Armistead Street Project
    • Dr Kath Browne - Lead Researcher on the Count Me In Too Research Project

    Themes to be covered include:

    • Dual Diagnosis;
    • Building Resilience in Children Affected by Substance Misuse;
    • Domestic Violence and Substance Misuse;
    • Parenting Capacity;
    • Working with Diverse Groups;
    • Primary Care;
    • Working with Sex Workers;
    • Meeting the Needs of Lesbian and Gay Women;
    • Implementing a Community Response to Corston;
    • Supporting Affected Family Members;
    • Safeguarding Children.

    This first Brighton Oasis Project conference has been planned in response to requests from professionals as well as to progress the agenda around the needs of women substance misusers and those of their families.

    The conference aims to consider the role of gender specific services in substance misuse treatment, to consider the evidence around current best practice in safe-guarding the children of substance misusers, to consider the support needs of the children of substance misusers and to highlight the needs of women substance misusers and identify how these can be met in practice.

    The conference is aimed at a multi-disciplinary audience.

    The Conference Leaflet can be dowloaded below in JPEG format:

    For more information or to book a place please contact:

    Brighton Oasis Project
    11 Richmond Place
    Brighton BN2 9NA
    Tel: call (01273) 696 970
    Fax: (01273) 697 762
    E-Mail: info@brightonoasisproject.co.uk
    Web: www.oasisproject.org.uk

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    Pavilion: Mental Health & Substance Use
    Date: Tuesday 25 May 2010

    (Info last updated 9 February 2010)
    Pavilion, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health

    Mental Health & Substance Use:
    Making Integrated Care in the Criminal Justice System a Reality

    Date: Tuesday 25 May 2010, 10am-4.30pm
    Venue: ORT House Conference Centre, 126 Albert Street, London NW1 7NE
    Cost: See Conference Programme (downloadable below)

    About the conference

    Government guidance on supporting people with co-occurring substance misuse and mental health problems was published in 2002. Yet many people in this group find themselves being batted between substance misuse and mental health services or receive no service at all. Too many end up living impoverished lives, excluded from their communities, denied an ordinary life and frequently in trouble with the law.

    People with a dual diagnosis tend to have multiple and complex problems. They do not fit into the neat silos constructed by public services. Instead they need integrated support from a variety of providers in order for care to be effective.

    This conference aims to address the issue of complexity and looks at both developing policy and practice to achieve real integrated services.

    Aims of the conference

    The conference will:

    • explore policy and its implementation for people of all age groups with dual diagnosis and complex problems;
    • scan the horizons and look at future developments in this area;
    • look at best practice examples of providing integrated services;
    • look at commissioning for dual diagnosis and complex care in a variety of settings;
    • explore the interface with the criminal justice system for people with dual diagnosis;
    • explore the users' own perspectives on the care they get and the care they need.

    Key themes:

    • Providing services for people with complex problems
    • Service integration for those with dual diagnosis
    • Working on the interface with criminal justice for those with complex problems
    • Commissioning for complexity
    • A service users' "eye view" of need

    Who should attend?

    • Practitioners in both substance misuse and mental health services
    • Statutory sector and third sector providers
    • Service users and carers
    • Those involved in policy development and implementation in both mental health and substance misuse
    • Those working in the criminal justice system
    • Commissioners of both substance misuse and mental health services

    The Conference Programme & Registration Form can be downloaded below in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

    For more information please contact:

    Pavilion
    Richmond House
    Richmond Road
    Brighton BN2 3RL
    Tel: 0844 880 5061
    Fax: 0844 880 5062
    E-mail: info@pavpub.com
    Web: www.pavpub.com

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    Europad: 9th International Conference
    Date: Friday 28 - Sunday 30 May 2010

    (Info last updated 17 July 2009)
    Europad

    Europad: 9th International Conference
    Date: Friday 28 - Sunday 30 May 2010
    Venue: Helsinki Congress Paasitorni, Finland

    Europad (European Opiate Addiction Treatment Association) is a society for professionals interested in the development of effective opiate addiction treatment in Europe and elsewhere.

    For further information please visit...

    Web: www.europad.org

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    STRADA: Postgraduate Programmes for Addictions Professionals
    Date: Commencing September 2010

    (Info last updated 08 March 2010)
    STRADA and the University of Glasgow

    Postgraduate Programmes for Addictions Professionals (2010-2011)
    Date: Commencing September 2010
    Duration: Part-time basis over one academic year
    Venue: University of Glasgow
    Cost: The tuition fee for the Postgraduate programmes in 2010-11 will be £1416, but there will be fully funded places available for specific areas of the Scottish workforce. Please see the application packs for details of our funding criteria.

    STRADA (Scottish Training on Drugs and Alcohol) and the University of Glasgow are now recruiting for our forthcoming Postgraduate programmes.

    The University of Glasgow will be delivering two Postgraduate programmes in 2010, specifically designed for professionals working within the substance misuse field. Full details and an application pack can be obtained from the STRADA web site by following the links below:

    The closing date for applications is Tuesday 1 June 2010.

    If you have any specific questions about the forthcoming programme, please contact:

    Steven Kendrick
    STRADA
    University of Glasgow
    89 Dumbarton Road
    Glasgow G11 6PW
    Tel: 0141 330 2400
    E-mail: strada@gla.ac.uk
    Web: www.projectstrada.org

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    SMMGP: 5th National Primary Care Development Conference
    Date: Friday 15 October 2010

    (Info last updated 03 March 2010)
    SMMGP

    SMMGP: 5th National Primary Care Development Conference:
    Innovation in an Austere Climate

    Date: Friday 15 October 2010
    Venue: The Assembly Rooms, Newcastle-on-Tyne
    Cost: £164.50 (inc VAT) per delegate
    Cost: £270.25 (inc VAT) for two delegates from one organisation

    There are a limited number of free and reduced price places available for users and students - to be considered for one apply by e-mail to elsa.browne@nta-nhs.org.uk

    Overnight accommodation available (hotels within walking distance of the venue).

    The programme includes:

    • Inspiration for innovation in the current economic climate;
    • problem solving sessions;
    • pxamples of local and national innovation (workshops);
    • opportunities to strengthen regional forums and networks.

    If you are...

    • Strategically or operationally responsible for developing primary care drug treatment services in your area, or
    • A shared care coordinator/worker, GP or other primary care practitioner, service manager, commissioner, pharmacist, DAT Officer, user of services or shared care worker

    ...then this conference is for you - come and have your say!

    The Conference Flier & Registration Form can be downloaded below in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

    Please fax or mail completed form to our conference organiser:

    Sarah Pengelly
    SMMGP 2010 Conference
    The Granary
    8 Star Street
    Ware
    Hertfordshire
    SG12 7AA
    Tel: 01920 468856
    Fax: 01920 462494
    E-mail: sarah.mpa@dial.pipex.com

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