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   First women's drug and alcohol unit opens in PrestwichThe first NHS service in the country for women with substance misuse problems was officially opened by Professor John Strang, Director of the National Addiction Centre, on Wednesday 24th February 2010. Based at Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s headquarters in Prestwich, the Chapman-Barker unit provides services for people in the North West who are dependent on alcohol and drugs. The £1.9 million unit opened in January 2010 and offers a range of services including: *Inpatient treatment for drug and alcohol dependence for male and female over 18s with complex needs treatment for people with poly drug and alcohol use, physical or mental health issues or complex social needs *Treatment packages including stabilisation and assisted withdrawal *Therapeutic programmes focussing on the issue of addiction rather than the substance patients are addicted to *Access to pharmacy and medical services *Ex-user support groups The Chapman-Barker unit combines alcohol detox services from Wentworth House in Salford and inpatient treatment for drug dependence from Kenyon House in Prestwich. Kenyon House (now known as the Chapman-Barker unit) has been refurbished from a 21 bed inpatient drugs treatment unit to a 36 bed combined drugs and alcohol unit with separate male and female wards. In accordance with staff wishes, the Chapman-Barker unit is named after the previous chair of the Trust, Julia Chapman-Barker, who passed-away in October 2008. Professor John Strang, Director of the National Addiction Centre, said: “The creation of a combined drugs and alcohol unit on one site has increased the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol or drug-related problems. Units such as these are crucial to ensure those with the most complex needs, including patients with dual diagnosis, will receive improved care and treatment. Ultimately this will enhance the overall patient experience." Bev Humphrey, Chief Executive of Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is estimated there are 330,000 problem drug users in England and that one in 13 people in the UK are dependent on alcohol. The Chapman-Barker unit has given residents from the North West access to help with these problems.” “Patients at the Chapman-Barker unit are looked after by a varied team of highly skilled, specialist staff that includes doctors, nurses, therapists and social workers. Services are already making a difference, with 77 patients (43 outpatient appointments and 34 admissions) benefiting from services based at the Chapman-Barker unit last month alone” Source: Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Photo (L-R): Professor John Strang, Louise Sell, Brian Barker and Alan Maden outside the new unit
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