Smithfield promotes equality of access for service users ensuring that they are able to engage and access our service to participate in a full physical withdrawal from alcohol and/or drugs within a specialist safe and supportive environment.

Guidance on Completing the Referral Form

  • If handwriting, please complete the referral form in BLACK INK, BLOCK CAPITALS and in CLEAR HANDWRITING.
  • Please complete all sections in as much detail as possible and provide any additional information as requested prior to submission of referral. Where a section cannot be completed please state for what reason, such as; not relevant/service user declined to answer.
  • Please use the continuation sheet provided for any additional information and title each entry.
  • Incomplete referral forms may result in the form being returned to the referrer and the referral being placed on the inactive waiting list, which may delay an offer of admission.
  • It is important that people being referred understand that they should not present to the service on the day of admission overly intoxicated.
  • The referrer retains responsibility for the service user until the point of admission; Smithfield will work in partnership with the referrer throughout. Other than exceptional cases, it is always expected that a referring team will commit to continuing care-coordination of the service user at the end of their treatment.
  • If you require any support or advice about referrals or admissions please contact the Care Path Team Monday-to-Friday, 9:00-17:00 on the following number: 0161 827 8570 or by email on

Essential Information

We aim to ensure everyone is admitted to the service within 21 days of receipt of referral. To support us with this we ask that you provide us with as much information as possible, in and alongside, the referral form.

It is essential that we receive all the information listed below so that we are able to safely admit an individual to the service. Please ensure all fields are completed to avoid unnecessary delays to admission.

Page 1: Name, Date of Birth, Local Authority, Referrer Details, Service user Risk Status.

Page 3: GP Details, Pharmacy Details, Emergency Contact Details, Other Contacts

Page 5: TOP’s, Current Medication, Allergies

Page 6: Primary Problem(s) & Details

Page 8: Physical Health Problems/Concerns/Treatment, Disability, Psychological Treatment/Concerns

Page 9: Relevant Reports

Page 10:Accommodation

Page 11:Details of Children

Page 12:Offending Risks

Page 15:Discharge & Contingency Plans

In addition please be aware that this referral will not be processed until:

Alcohol Clients

  • Recent (last 2 months) LFT’s including GGT, FBC and U and E’s have been taken and sent to us;
  • If the client is starting on Antabuse a recent ECG is required prior to admission.

Opiate Clients

  • If the client is starting on naltrexone LFTS are required prior to admission;
  • the most recent prescription of CD is sent to us or a copy of treatment plan.

All Clients

  • A transfer of care from GP is in place, summarising all medication and interventions provided by GP;
  • Recent reports from Psychiatrists, CMHT, any specialist consultant/nurse, probation and other external agencies are all in place.

In addition:

  • Please also ensure that there are arrangements in place for continuing support and treatment post discharge, including a consideration of how a service user will be managed should there be an unplanned discharge.
  • Where a service user is NFA please inform us of arrangements being made to provide support on discharge. We also need a way to communicate with service users prior to admission so if no permanent address is available we will need contact details of services providing support and a contact number for the service user.
  • Where a service user’s current partner or close associate is receiving treatment on the unit we will plan admissions to allow “back to back” placements.
  • We will occasionally require further reports from other involved agencies, such as risk assessments, CPA reports, care plans, contingency plans, community care plan, physician’s report, mental health assessment, relevant discharge plans etc. These will be requested when it is considered that we need the information to safely manage someone whilst they are in our care. If you have these reports available please send them with the referral form.

Exclusion Criteria for Admission

Smithfield welcomes and accepts referrals for all adults who wish to participate in drug and/or alcohol detoxification services, the only exclusions at the service being:

  • Persons under the age of 18;
  • Where Risk Assessment show we cannot manage the risk posed to the staff, other service users or themselves;
  • Service users whose psychological/physical needs have been identified as requiring more specialised services;
  • Service users who are not self-caring or able to mobilise independently;
  • Service users detained under the Mental Health Act.

Who is the service for?

  • The residential service is available to anyone with a drug or alcohol dependence requiring one or more of the following treatment options:

-Alcohol Detoxification

-Methadone Stabilisation

-Methadone Detoxification

-Benzodiazepine Detoxification

-Stimulant Detoxification

-Buprenorphine Detoxification

-Buprenorphine Stabilisation

-Opiate Detoxification (using Buprenorphine)

-Opiate Detoxification (using Lofexidine)

-Naltrexone Adjunctive Therapy

  • We pride ourselves on being able to offer a service to people with complex needs including:

-Chaotic polydrug use

-Homelessness

-Physical or psychiatric complications or co-morbidity

-Severe substance dependence

-Pregnancy

-Social deprivation, lack of social support or housing problems.

Where referrals are for people with more complex needs we would request that existing care and risk management plans are shared with us to inform our own.

  • Where there are complications around physical and mental health needs such as; Uncontrolled diabetes, warfarin treatment, pregnancy, HIV, schizophrenia, recent suicide/self-harm ideation, complex poly substance use, recent mental health diagnosis, individuals may be booked into the G.P. pre-assessment clinic to allow us to further assess and plan for safe admission and care.
  • The service is ideal for those who have previously failed detoxification or stabilisation in the community and who require in-patient detoxification or those who are developing dependence and who could benefit from early intervention may be eligible for in-patient detoxification.
  • We can also offer our service to anyone being discharged from prison, requiring a detoxification from prescribed substitute medication.

Priority Admissions

Please note that priority will sometimes be given to some referrals such as:

-Pregnant Women

-Services users with children who need to arrange child care

-Partners of service users who have just completed detox (“back to back”)

-Service users with identified complex mental or physical health needs

-Service users who are homeless and have placements ready post discharge.

-Service users who need to make arrangements with their employer.

What you can expect from us

The Care Pathway Team will phone the referrer and theservice user to inform them of the approximate date for admission. Once it is possible to give an exact date of admission the Team will inform the Service User via letter and/or phone and an information pack will be sent.

The Service User will be written to with detailed instructions about what to bring, what not to bring and they will be provided with a copy of our Service User Handbook which outlines various aspects of service delivery and should provide answers to questions service users may have. Our Care Pathway Team will be available to deal with any further requests for information and answer any further questions.

Referrersare welcome to attend the admission assessment and will be kept informed of progress throughout an individual’s stay with us.

Safeguarding Children

Please ensure that the information below is relayed to service userswith children in their care or access to visitation rights.

The government’s aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, is to have the support they need.This means that children’s and adult organisations now work together to provide services and protect children and young people from harm and help them achieve their goals in life.

Smithfield recognises the important role relationships with family and loved ones can have in recovery journeys. We are required to inform your child’s school nurse or health visitor that you are accessing treatment at our service. This information will remain confidential to the professionals involved in working with you and the children in your care and ensure they also receive appropriate support as well as you.

We will only contact Social Services Child Protection Team if we believe your child is at risk of significant harm.

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