Professor Dame Carol Black returns to CNWL Addictions in Hillingdon

We were privileged to welcome Professor Dame Carol Black and Chief Executive, Claire Murdoch back to our Addictions Services in Hillingdon. This was Dame Carol’s second visit following her independent review of drug treatment services, which shaped the government’s ‘From Harm to Hope’ strategy and led to vital grant funding for our services and other key roles.

She returned to see the progress first-hand, praising CNWL’s model, with its co-located services and strong partnerships. As the NHS’s largest addiction treatment provider with over 350 staff, we shared our work on complex comorbidities and talked about the pathways into mental health services.

Dr Jeff Fehler, Addictions Clinical Director, reflected on:

“Our patients frequently present with mental health, physical health and social care needs. As a specialist addictions treatment service, we are able to manage the most complex presentations, working closely with our partners (including CNWL’s mental health services) to holistically care for some of the most vulnerable in society.”

Our teams are exceeding national targets and pioneering innovative approaches, from dual diagnosis workers and specialist rough sleeper services to recovery day programmes and criminal justice pathways. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment services are also proving vital in supporting people back into work as part of their recovery.

In Hillingdon and Hounslow, we are strengthening collaboration with local police. Meanwhile, our Club Drug Clinic, the only specialist service of its kind in the country, continues to push for a London-wide approach to emerging drug trends like chemsex and online addictions.

The motivation from Dame Carol’s review has further strengthened morale, showing resilience and creativity within the sector. However, one of the biggest challenges is workforce development. While the directorate has expanded significantly over the past three years, funding streams are complex and sometimes commissioning structures can reinforce siloed working.

Teresa Wirz, Head of Addictions, said:

"We’re incredibly grateful for the funding secured through Carol’s work and the drug treatment review. We’ve used it to recruit and retain highly skilled professionals, giving a much-needed boost to the workforce – this investment has strengthened services and improved morale. I’m especially proud of the dedication and leadership within addiction services, and their total commitment to make this happen.”

Dame Carol emphasised the importance of a professional body for addiction workers: 

"We need a place [a centre for Addictions] that provides training, career development, and a strong sense of professional identity,” she said. “Too often, addiction specialists work in isolation without a clear pathway for growth. Establishing a formal body would help break down barriers, and ensure a highly skilled workforce”.

A key strength of CNWL’s approach is our lived experience leadership. Our Recovery Day Programme and volunteer networks have transformed services, ensuring that those with lived experience aren’t just consulted - they co-design, co-deliver, and co-manage services.

As one of our lived experience leaders put it:

"This is the first place I felt safe. Recovery doesn’t end when you leave treatment - you’re always welcome back."

Chief Executive, Claire Murdoch said:

“The mixture of clinical expertise and lived experience is potent. Nationally, we’re delivering outstanding results and the ambition now is to take this success even further—bottling the service’s ethos and rolling it out more widely."