The UK Department of Health and Social Care commissioned The King’s Fund to conduct a rapid evidence synthesis of the likely strengths and weaknesses of different models of commissioning and accountability for drug treatment services in England. This work was conducted to inform Dame Carol Black’s Independent Review of Drugs for the Secretary of State.

Because of the short timeframe for this research, we worked with the review team to identify priorities for investigation within this scope. These were: approaches to funding, joint commissioning, contracting, commissioner capacity and capability, and accountability. This overview provides a high-level summary of our findings on these topics and looks across them to discuss key issues that emerge when the system is considered as a whole. It also sets out key issues relating to the development of integrated care systems (ICSs) across the NHS and local government that are pertinent to drug treatment services. Finally, it identifies areas that the research team believe would be amenable to further study to inform the ongoing development of policy in this area.