Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG58/1

Question

Needs assessment:- In the UK, how prevalent is coexisting severe mental illness with substance misuse and what are the physical health, social care, housing or other support needs of people with this diagnosis?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- There is limited evidence on the physical health, social care, housing or other support needs of people with coexisting severe mental illness and substance misuse. This includes prevalence of coexisting physical conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory or infectious diseases and social care needs such as social isolation or poor housing.
Evidence on the differential impact on physical health of the type of substance used and the mental health condition would also be useful. Longitudinal evidence is needed.
This will help design coordinated evidence-based services to meet the wider health and social care needs of this group of people and provide a good standard of care.
People with coexisting severe mental illness and substance misuse may present in a variety of settings. Research on the needs that this group present with in specific settings (for example, primary care) would be beneficial. So would research evaluating the needs of particularly vulnerable groups (for example, those identified in the equality impact assessment).

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Coexisting severe mental illness and substance misuse: community health and social care services

Number

NG58

Date issued

November 2016

Other details