Cigna UK HealthCare Benefits (Cigna) and Archangel have united to improve access to specialist detoxification support at home for Cigna's customers.
New research shows that drug and alcohol misuse continues to be a struggle facing the UK population. During 2014, more than 300,000 people started structured treatment for drug and alcohol addictions in England alone. In addition, over three quarters were in treatment for 12 weeks or more1. Addiction can also carry a stigma, so it is important to make access to appropriate treatment as simple as possible. Cigna's customers can now bypass their General Practitioner (GP) and self-refer to detox at home allowing them to:
- Have treatment and support that can be delivered within one week;
- Recover at home and continue with family life;
- Maintain their professional reputation; and
- Benefit from individual, professional care day and night.
Cigna's detox at home service offers specialist nurse support to withdraw from opiates or alcohol addiction in the comfort and security of the home environment. This takes place over a one-week period with the care of an appropriately trained addiction nurse. The risk of relapse is then managed through a course of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered by Cigna's partner, CBT Services.
Phil Austin, Cigna's UK HealthCare Benefits Managing Director commented, "Twenty percent of GPs expect the wait for an appointment to be longer than three weeks in a year’s time2.The profession is coming under increasing pressure to reduce the number of onward referrals they make3, so the option to self-refer means Cigna customers can be confident they will be offered access to the treatment they need. Some will even complete their home detox programme before the average person would be able to see their GP to discuss their drug or alcohol addiction."
Rebecca Yagci, Archangel Home Detox Nurse Director, commented, "Archangel is delighted to collaborate with Cigna to provide detoxification in the home environment. If someone is struggling with an addiction, the hardest part can be admitting there's a problem and seeking help. We're able to provide a bespoke care plan to fit individual needs and provide care, day and night, at home. With our service, there's no need to take long periods off work for recovery – ensuring privacy and professional reputation is maintained."
For more information, please contact Nicola Thomson, Cigna's Marketing Communications Manager nicola.thomson@cigna.com
1Public Health England, 2014, Statistics for Drug & Alcohol treatment activity in England.
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/your-practice/practice-topics/access/average-gp-appointment-waiting-times-to-hit-two-weeks-by-next-year/20009238.fullarticle
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/01/gp-practices-offered-rewards-for-not-referring-patients-to-hospitals