FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER, 2015

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NHS TAYSIDE STAFF TAKING PART IN LOCAL PERTH SRC RECOVERY WALK

Recovery Walk at HMP Perth

NHS Tayside Prisoner Healthcare staff took part in an awareness walk at HMP Perth to celebrate recovery of addiction.

NHS Tayside Prisoner Healthcare Substance Misuse staff have worked in close partnership with the Scottish Prison Service to locally support the annual Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC) Recovery Walk.

To take part locally, staff joined community recovery champions, representatives from community agencies and prisoners to walk for a mile around the grounds within Perth prison to support the annual event.

The SRC Recovery Walk, which began five years ago, aims to raise awareness of substance misuse and recovery from addiction by gathering the recovery community in Scotland together.

The walk also aims to help combat the stigma associated with addiction and inspire action to strengthen recovery.

Jim McKay, NHS Tayside Prisoner Healthcare substance use caseworker, said, “This is a unique and inspiring event within a setting where recovery may not normally be seen in such a visible way. It is a privilege to be part of this event.

“Our prisoner healthcare team is committed to ensuring that those in custody are afforded the same opportunities to address their substance use issues as those in a community setting. We have facilitated an environment in which peer-led and mutual aid approaches are embedded in our day-to-day practice. This, along with the wider substance use health provision, helps to lay the foundations for a healthier, happier offence-free life when returning to the community.”

NHS Tayside Prisoner Healthcare Substance Misuse Service provide screening and comprehensive assessments, as well as individualised and recovery-focused care plans for adult male prisoners.

Scottish Prison Service Head of Offender Outcomes at HMP Perth Alan Arundel said, “This was a chance to recognise the success of the recovery journey being undertaken in HMP Perth and the wider community and is testimony to the hard work and efforts of all staff involved. The service is an excellent example of collaborative working and what can be achieved by working together.”

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134