Poster 25 | Health and social care professional’s experiences, views and responses of people who use new psychoactive substances in different Mental Health and Addiction Healthcare Services

Abstract New psychoactive Substances (NPS) cause harms to both physical and mental health of people who use NPS (PWUNPS). Healthcare professionals working in mental health and drug and alcohol settings experience daily challenges surrounding the identification of NPS types, related symptoms resulting from NPS. Although a limitation of research exists surrounding how Hcps manage PWUNPS, more research is needed on Hcps views, responses, and experiences across different healthcare services (HCSs) surrounding their engagements with PWUNPS. Sampling Method: Purposive sampling Methods: A Sequential Explanatory Design consisted of 2 phases across three different service type provisions namely statutory, non-statutory and private sectors across five mental health and drug and alcohol HCSs. Phase one survey data explored the responses of 92 Hcps, thus, the results of the survey informed the development of the interview questions for phase 2. Phase 2 explored Hcps experiences and views through 14 semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. 92 Hcps took part in the survey across five different HCSs. Most Hcps were female (n=47) in comparison to male Hcps (n=3) and some Hcps (n=2) did not disclose. 45% of Hcps reported no assessment or procedures were in place for PWUNPS and views were predominately neutral towards PWUNPS and engagement experiences were deemed neutral. The phase 2, 14 semi-structured interviews results identified 5 common themes associated with Hcps experiences and responses toward PWUNPS including organisational issues, assessment, stigma, harm minimisation and a symptoms as contributing factors toward Hcps experiences surrounding the management of PWUNPS. Organisational issues impacted the engagements, access and funding toward treating PWUNPS. HCSs need to integrate specific NPS trainings for Hcps across the different HCS sectors is recommended to reduce the harms associated with NPS use. This study demonstrates the potential of implementing newer assessment, policy, and a Harm Minimisation approach toward PWUNPS across different HCSs