Background and focus:
Data sharing in addiction treatment is a critical issue in Scotland, where challenges in sharing information between the 3rd sector, health, social care and law enforcement contribute to gaps in patient care, delays in emergency response and, tragically, preventable harm or death. These concerns have been raised previously by the Drug Deaths Taskforce, with Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s Insights events also revealing that over 90% of participants identified a lack of data sharing as a significant barrier to successful integrated care. Without this it becomes difficult to coordinate effective treatment, identify relapse patterns and intervene early, especially in at-risk communities.
We already know from past public investigations the lack of data sharing not only increases risk but also hinders our efforts by limiting the support from statutory and local community services.
In this webinar, we will explore the importance of data sharing, particularly in the context of GDPR and the Caldicott Principles and the implications these have for addiction treatment in Scotland. We’ll discuss how clear, timely communication across agencies can help prevent life-threatening circumstances, improve treatment coordination and ultimately save lives.
By focusing on the barriers and potential solutions, we aim to foster a better understanding of how integrated data sharing can improve patient care and foster successful outcomes in addiction recovery.
Date and time:
23rd January 2025, 10:00-11:30
Registration:Â This session is open to all professionals and those with an interest in the field and may include representatives from:
- Academia
- Health and social care
- Housing sector
- Justice
- People with lived/living experience
- Community pharmacy
