top of page

London Detox Pathway

Medically managed inpatient detoxification for adults with alcohol or opiate dependence, delivered through the London Inpatient Detoxification and Stabilisation Portal.

Mildmay Hospital is a provider in the London Inpatient Detoxification and Stabilisation Portal, a coordinated network operated by Change Grow Live (CGL) and operating across the majority of London boroughs. The Portal coordinates access to inpatient detoxification services across London, supporting timely and appropriate placements for patients and referring professionals.

Navigation

Care pathway

We provide medically managed inpatient detoxification for adults who are dependent on alcohol or opiates. The Portal is open to referrals for any eligible adult.

Detoxification - the medically supervised process of managing withdrawal from alcohol or opiates - requires careful clinical monitoring and support.

 

At Mildmay, patients are accommodated within a dedicated clinical environment with 24-hour nursing care and regular medical oversight throughout their stay.​​

Our approach goes beyond clinical monitoring. Each patient is supported by Mildmay's full multidisciplinary team, with care tailored to their physical health, psychological needs, and individual circumstances. Our MDT includes medical staff, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, dietetics, speech and language therapy, psychology, chaplaincy, and art therapy.

​

We also provide access to psychosocial support, group work, and therapeutic activities during the detoxification period, and liaise with community substance misuse teams, housing services, and other relevant agencies to plan a safe and appropriate discharge from the outset.

  • Where appropriate, patients completing detoxification at Mildmay may be considered for onward transfer to the Post-detox Recovery Pathway for post-detox intermediate rehabilitation. 

Aims

  • Provide safe, medically managed withdrawal from alcohol and/or opiates in a supported inpatient setting

  • Monitor and manage associated medical risks throughout the detoxification process

  • Address co-existing physical and mental health needs alongside withdrawal care

  • Provide psychosocial support and structured activity to support engagement and motivation during detox

  • Liaise with community substance misuse teams, housing services, and other relevant agencies to plan safe and appropriate discharge from the outset

  • Support onward progression into rehabilitation, recovery, or other appropriate community provision

Admission criteria

This pathway is for adults (18 and over) who:

​

  • Are dependent on alcohol or opiates and require medically managed inpatient detoxification

  • Are registered with, or can be referred through, a London community substance misuse service

  • Are medically suitable for detoxification in a hospital setting, in line with national clinical guidelines

  • Are drinking no more than 30 units per day, or have a Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) score of 30 or below

 

Mildmay assesses all referrals on a case-by-case basis. The criteria above are offered as a guide; please contact our Admissions Manager to discuss individual cases.

Exclusion criteria

Mildmay Hospital provides medically managed detoxification within a specialist inpatient setting, but is not equipped to manage patients with intensive medical care needs or those requiring complex detoxification. We follow national clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment, and as a guide, the following patients are unlikely to be suitable for admission:

​

  • Patients drinking over 30 units per day or with a SADQ score above 30, indicating severe dependence

  • Patients with a history of severe withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens

  • Patients with unstable psychiatric or acute medical co-morbidities

  • Patients who are pregnant

  • Patients who require one-to-one nursing care

  • Patients detained under the Mental Health Act

  • Patients with an excessive history of violence - subjective opinion? - delete and put in something about holistic risk assessment and management?

  • Patients dependant on GBL/GHB?

  • Benzos?

 

Mildmay is able to provide treatment for uncomplicated alcohol dependence and opiate stabilisation. Although we can support patients with a history of using other substances, we are unable to provide detoxification for substances such as Spice, where no national clinical guidelines exist.

​

All referrals are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are unsure whether a patient is suitable, please contact our Admissions Manager before submitting a referral.

Referrals

Referrals are made through the London Inpatient Detoxification and Stabilisation Portal, operated by Change Grow Live (CGL). The Portal coordinates access to inpatient detox providers across London, with a dedicated coordination team supporting timely, appropriate placements.

To discuss a referral or to confirm whether Mildmay is suitable for a specific patient, please contact our Admissions Manager directly:

​

bottom of page