A specialist detoxification unit which helps people across Doncaster beat their drug and alcohol addictions has been officially reopened following a £35,000 refurbishment to extend its inpatient accommodation.
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) Chief Executive Kathryn Singh reopened New Beginnings Recovery-Orientated Detoxification Service in Balby at a special ceremony attended by guests including Doncaster Civic Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Paul Wray and Mrs Liz Marsden, and Cllr Pat Knight.
Kathryn Singh said: “Since it opened in 2005, New Beginnings has helped over 1000 people to achieve a drug and alcohol free lifestyle and successfully integrate back into the local community.
“There is increasing demand for facilities like ours, and thanks to investment from Public Health England, Doncaster Council and RDaSH we’ve been able to expand our service to provide a fully functional detoxification inpatient unit, staffed 24/7 by specialist nursing staff along with an integrated structured day programme, which means Doncaster people are treated in the right environment where recovery can prosper.”
Cllr Pat Knight, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “People with drug and alcohol addictions across the borough can now access a range of new services and treatments all under one roof rather than being admitted to a hospital setting. This modern and bespoke support is excellent news for those who need it.”
The future of New Beginnings was recently secured, following the award of the contract to provide drug and alcohol services in Doncaster to Aspire, a partnership organisation set up by existing provider RDaSH and registered charity The Alcohol & Drug Service (ADS), following a tender process by Doncaster Council’s Public Health team.
Aspire will deliver the service from April 2016 until the end of March 2020 with an option to extend for a further two full years.