## ////Title: Regulating the Quality of Treatment for Substance-related Disorders ////Stand-first:

In Australia, like in many countries, substance related disorders remain a pressing societal concern. The Australian government recently introduced a new framework to help regulate the quality of care provided and this has been reviewed by Simone Henriksen from the University of the Sunshine Coast. Her analysis highlights a variety of challenges that need to be faced and she provides critical recommendations to support the implementation and sustained usage of the new framework.

## ////Body text:

In 2019, Australia introduced the National Quality Framework to help regulate its alcohol and other drug treatment services. This was one of several strategies implemented by the Australian government to help reduce substance use and prevent it from having a detrimental effect on the wider society. Evidence has suggested that providing alcohol and drug treatment services can improve individuals’ physical and psychological health and can also have a positive impact on other community members by reducing crime and encouraging greater social inclusion. These treatment services are also proven to be an economically viable solution. … The National Quality Framework was developed to provide a nationally consistent approach to drug and alcohol treatment services in Australia, and to ensure that those using these services are receiving the best quality of care. Prior to its introduction, there were considerable inconsistencies in how alcohol and treatment services were regulated across Australia. Traditionally, each territory had its own regulation system leading to the use of variable approaches. There have also been discrepancies in terms of funding and provision of services between different regions, and in regional and rural areas in particular, difficulties arise from a lack of residential care options. In general, there has been concern regarding long waiting times, high costs, and barriers to accessing the most appropriate care. The Australian Government Department of Health aims to use the National Quality Framework to solve these issues and it is the first mandatory regulatory framework of its kind relating to alcohol and drug treatment services within the country. Undoubtedly, the success of the framework will rely on the robustness of its design. As such, the current challenges must be taken into consideration allowing for a regulatory tool that tackles the issues of quality whilst maintaining impartiality and encouraging accessibility wherever possible. Treatment suppliers are expected to meet the standards set by the new framework before the end of 2022. Before its introduction, accreditation was not mandatory for all providers – now all providers will be required to hold accreditation and be revalidated every 3 to 4 years to ensure that standards are maintained. The framework comprises several different components including guiding principles, accreditation, and standards, as well as monitoring and compliance. Its nine guiding principles are organisational and clinical governance, planning and engagement, collaboration and partnerships, workforce development and clinical practice, information systems, compliance, continuous improvement and health and safety. Due to the inclusion of accreditation, a list of alcohol and drug treatment services that meet the accredited standards will be published in the National Directory, a website where the public can search for services in Australia.

WWW.SCIPOD.GLOBAL