CLEAR

Calls for better integrated care between mental health and substance use treatment

Concerns are being raised in New Hampshire about the need to better integrate care for mental health issues and substance use disorders. Research at the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that 50% of people who experience substance use disorder also experience mental health disorders, and vice versa. Calls are being made for more education on mental health for drug and alcohol counselors and more education on addiction for mental health providers. Concern has also been raised about the silo-ing effect of different licensing boards overseeing the two fields.

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UK: guidance on who can issue fit notes

The UK government has released guidance for healthcare professionals and their employers on who can issue statements of fitness for work, or fit notes. Until July 2022, only doctors were legally permitted to certify fit notes. Now, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, and physiotherapists are permitted to certify fit notes, taking into consideration their own scope of practice, skills, knowledge, and experience before doing so.  "Enabling a wider range of HCPs to certify fit notes offers benefits for patients and the healthcare system and better recognises innovations in using a multi-disciplinary workforce to support patients. These HCPs can engage more directly with patients on matters of work and health without having to re-route requests to certify fit notes through doctors."

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