Controlled Drug Liaison Officer Services

The Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2006 (“the 2006 Regulations”) came into force on 1 January 2007 in England and 1 March 2007 in Scotland. As a consequence of the passing of the Health and Social Care Act 2012, these Regulations have been revised to reflect the new architecture for the NHS in England from April 2013. The Controlled Drugs (Supervision of Management and Use) Regulations 2013 (“the 2013 Regulations”) came into force in England and Scotland on 1.4.2013.

Controlled Drug Liaison Officer requirements.

To fulfil the statutory controlled drug Regulations 2013 we require staff authorised by Secretary of State for Health, e.g. Controlled Drug Liaison Officers (CDLO). They require the powers of entry and inspection under the Health Act 2006, which ensures the safe, appropriate and effective management and use of Controlled Drugs and the enforcement of the Misuse of Drug Regulations (Safe custody).

Experience of working as a CDLO as either a serving or ex-police officer with a wealth of experience; and vetted up to Security Clearance level. They need experience and expertise in conducting Community Pharmacy inspections for the purpose of inspections and destruction of OOD CD’s. They must be familiar with NHS systems and conversant with Information Governance; solid awareness of Data Protection principles and regulations, Human Rights, Freedom of Information and the Caldicott principles. Have expertise in conducting interviews, taking statements and the preparation of prosecution files for Crown Prosecution Service.

Must have experience of liaison with other regulatory bodies such as Home Office, GPhC. GMC, GDC, MHRA and other regulatory bodies is essential; contact with organisations that are not covered by a regulator but use Controlled Drugs. They need a wide field of knowledge of cases where recommendations have been made into the sharing of information and intelligence, e.g. Soham and Shipman murders and Bichart enquiry. As Safeguarding is now a priority amongst most public bodies and the importance of sharing information appropriately is uppermost in their day to day working.

The role will include being authorised witnesses for controlled drugs that require destruction, it is important that this act is witnessed as required under regulation 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and to take into account other legislation in relation to the destruction and disposal of CDs such as the Environment Agency’s Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 and the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.

NHS England wishes to gauge the level of interest from organisations who can and are interested in providing these services. We would therefore like all interested suppliers to register their interest by sending an email to Mathew.Holliday@nhs.net by 12:00 on Monday 26th October. As a minimum the email must confirm the name of the organisation and confirmation that they can meet the requirements above.