Substance use amongst inpatients on mental health wards: practical guide for mental health services

2. Scope

It is intended that this guidance is available to all NHS Health Boards providing inpatient mental health services, and for use across all mental health services. This guidance applies in the following situations:

• A patient appears under the influence of substances (this covers a range of presentations from mild, to severe intoxication).
• Where there is concern that a patient is in possession of substances.
• Where there is concern about distribution of substances amongst patients (including coercion).

This document is not intended to replace treatment pathways for substance use which are already in place in health boards across NHS Scotland. This document should be used in conjunction with existing local guidance for responding to incidents on inpatient wards and should support care which is underpinned by a human rights based approach and with reference to the Mental Welfare Commission’s guidance on the use of Specified Persons (where applicable).