I've cut and pasted this from Paul Hayes's report to the NTA board. Interesting I think in that it seems quite upbeat (coming from someone who presumably is well placed to know which way the wind is blowing) about the future of resources. And that the exact constitution of NTA regional teams is still to be resolved. Enjoy.
Cheers
Simon



"Comprehensive Spending Review/Drug Strategy

Although final decisions are yet to be made on aspects of the Comprehensive Spending Review and the Drug Strategy consultation process is still in train, the emerging picture for the continued development of drug treatment over the next three years is positive.

It is increasingly likely that one of the key indicators used to judge NHS performance over the next three years will be a combined measure of numbers in treatment and retention. This will incentivise PCTs to continue to invest in drug treatment and ensure this agenda is a priority for Strategic Health Authorities.

The formal Delivery Agreements between the departments and Treasury are likely to make specific reference to the NTA’s role for the first time, as it is now recognised that the continued expansion in drug treatment that the PM has committed to is dependant on the continuation of dedicated funding through the Pooled Treatment Budget supported by the Annual Treatment Planning cycle and the delivery assurance role of NTA regional teams.

Arms Length Bodies Review

The only unresolved aspect of the ALB review process is the future of the NTA’s regional teams. Although the ALB review originally indicated that NTA regional teams should be subsumed into other regional structures, this is a matter which DH and Department of Communities and Local Government now view as being for local determination on a region by region basis, which takes decisions beyond the scope and timetable of the ALB review.

The current situation across the 9 NTA regions is that partners appear to believe at the moment that the status quo continues to be the best way to deliver business except in the South West, where the Strategic Health Authority believe the drug treatment agenda would be advanced if the Regional Director for Public Health assumed responsibility for the NTA’s regional role to generate synergies between the drugs agenda and other aspects of public health."

A bit more unfolds...
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/B/1/pbr_csr07_psa25.pdf

Si.,
Thanks will read it at once.

What, you haven't alraedy?

No I've been watching the news it seems Cunard are making a new Queen Elizabeth. It's nice to see a bit of good news as I was quite upset the QE2 was going to be a floating hotel.