National benchmarking report on implementation of the medication assisted treatment (MAT) standards
2022/2023

An Experimental Statistics publication for Scotland

Published: 20 June 2023
Type: Statistical report
Author: Public Health Scotland

Alcohol
Drugs

About this release

This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) is a benchmarking report on the progress that Alcohol and Drug Partnerships (ADPs) in Scotland are making to meet the medication assisted treatment (MAT) standards. The report includes recommended actions to address gaps.

Main points

MAT standards 1–10 were assessed across all 29 ADPs using a 'red, amber, green, blue' (RAGB) status.
For standards 1–5, 66% (96/145) are fully implemented (19/145, 13% green; 77/145, 53% provisional green) vs. 17% (25/145) in 2022 (Chart 1).
For standards 6–10, 88% (127/145) are partially implemented (65/145, 45% amber; 62/145, 43% provisional amber) and 12% (18/145) are not implemented (Chart 2).
This demonstrates substantial progress with implementation of the MAT standards throughout the ADP areas, but there is still a lot to do for full, consistent and sustained implementation of the standards across Scotland.

• MAT standard 1: The standard is fully implemented in 18/29 (62%) ADP areas (3/29, 10% green; 15/29, 52%, provisional green). This is an increase of 17 ADP areas (up by 59%) from 2022. The standard is partially implemented in 11/29 (38%) ADP areas (9/29, 31% amber; 2/29, 7% provisional amber). This remains the same as 2022 and not implemented in no ADP areas, this is a decrease of 17 ADP areas down by 59% from 2022.
• MAT standard 2: The standard is fully implemented in 27/29 (93%) ADP areas (7/29, 24% green; 20/29, 69% provisional green), this is an increase of 23 ADP areas (up by 79%) from 2022. The standard is partially implemented in two ADP areas (2/29, 7% amber), this is a decrease of 20 ADP areas (down by 69%) and not implemented in no ADP areas, this is a decrease of three ADP areas (down by 10%).
• MAT standard 3: The standard is fully implemented in 14/29 (48%) ADP areas (1/29, 3% green;13/29, 45% provisional green), this is an increase of eight ADP areas (up by 26%) from 2022. The standard is partially implemented in 15/29 (52%) ADP areas (14/29, 49% amber; 1/29,3% provisional amber), this is a decrease of five ADP areas (down by 16%) and not implemented in no ADP areas, this is a decrease of three ADP areas (down by 10%).
• MAT standard 4: The standard is fully implemented in 18/29 (62%) ADP areas (4/29, 14% green; 14/29, 48% provisional green), this is an increase of 10 ADP areas (up by 34%) from 2022. The standard is partially implemented in 11/29 (38%) ADP areas (10/29, 35% amber; 1/29, 3% provisional amber), this is a decrease of nine ADP areas (down by 31%) and not implemented in no ADP areas, a decrease of one ADP area (down by 3%).
• MAT standard 5: The standard is fully implemented in 19/29 (66%) ADP areas (4/29,14% green; 15/29, 52% provisional green), this is an increase of 13 ADP areas (up by 45%) from 2022. The standard is partially implemented in 10/29 (34%) ADP areas (9/29, 33% amber; 1/29, 3% provisional amber), this is a decrease of 10 ADP areas (down by 38%) and not implemented in no ADP areas, this is a decrease of two ADP areas (down by 7%).
• The RAGB score blue (there is evidence of sustained implementation and ongoing monitoring of the standard across all MAT services) was not allocated to any standard, this remains the same as 2022. — Image caption **Chart 1: ADPs with RAGB score – MAT standards 1–5: Scotland 2022/2023**

• MAT standard 6: The standard is partially implemented in 24/29 (83%) ADP areas (13/29, 45% amber; 11/29, 38% provisional amber) and not implemented in five ADP areas (17%).
• MAT standard 7: The standard is partially implemented in 25/29 (86%) ADP areas (19/29; 65% amber; 6/29, 21% provisional amber) and not implemented in four ADP areas (14%).
• MAT standard 8: The standard is partially implemented in all 29/29 (100%) ADP areas (25/29, 86% amber; 4/29, 14% provisional amber).
• MAT standard 9: The standard is partially implemented in 25/29 (86%) ADP areas (2/29, 7% amber; 23/29, 79% provisional amber) and not implemented in four ADP areas (14%).
• MAT standard 10: The standard is partially implemented in 24/29 (83%) ADP areas (6/29, 21% amber; 18/29, 62% provisional amber) and not implemented in five ADP areas (17%). — Image caption **Chart 2: ADPs with RAGB score – MAT standards 6–10: Scotland 2022/2023**

Background

MAT refers to the use of medication, such as opioids, together with psychological and social support, in the treatment and care of individuals who experience problems with their drug use. The Drug Deaths Taskforce published 10 MAT standards in May 2021. These aim to improve access, choice and care for people affected by problematic substance use across Scotland.

The next release of this publication will be June 2024.

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Older versions of this publication

Versions of this publication released before 16 March 2020 may be found on the Data and Intelligence, Health Protection Scotland or Improving Health websites.