Transforming Lives Through Collaboration

A pioneering regional partnership is playing a valuable part in transforming alcohol and drug recovery outcomes across Cheshire and Merseyside. The 2025 Impact Report, produced by MIAA, in partnership with commissioners, showcases the power of collaboration, led by MIAA,  between nine local authorities, NHS teams, and inpatient detox providers — delivering an 82% treatment completion rate, compared to the national average of 47%.*

A Model That Works

It was MIAA Solutions’ vision to create a Consortium model that supports innovation, shared learning, and genuine partnership between commissioners and providers.

“Balancing Structure with Flexibility”

“I believe that the Consortium has worked so well because it balances structure with flexibility, and because there is a genuine spirit of collaboration between commissioners, providers, and MIAA as programme leads.”— Gary Rickwood, Lead Commissioner for the Cheshire & Merseyside Consortium

The result? A system that is improving outcomes, reducing costs, and offering a new way of commissioning care.

Inside the 2025 Impact Report

·       Impactful Results – 174 lives transformed through inpatient detoxification — a 20% increase year-on-year for the placements through the IPD grant pathway.

·       Faster Access – Average wait times below national targets

·       Innovative Model – Demand-led commissioning, shared assessment and referral systems and processes, and real-time data tracking

·       Human Impact – Real stories of recovery, resilience, and hope

·       Emerging Challenges – Responding to rising ketamine use and complex youth cases

·       Scalable Solutions – A blueprint for system-led commissioning and collaborative governance

Who should read it

This report will make valuable reading for:

• NHS and local authority commissioners
• Addiction and recovery service providers
• Public health leaders and policymakers
• Community teams and third-sector organisations

A Blueprint for the Future

The Cheshire & Merseyside IPD Consortium shows what’s possible when collaboration, innovation, and accountability come together with strong subject knowledge.

• Seven new service providers commissioned through block contracts — creating a healthy, competitive marketplace
• Collective buying power driving better value for all LAs
• Non-sensitive, real-time data tracking activity, capacity, and spend
• Consistent access to all service providers across Cheshire & Merseyside
• Wider system benefits – including reductions in frequent acute admissions, treatment-related deaths, and community service pressures

Download the Full Report

Explore how this model is saving lives, reducing costs, and setting a new standard for collaborative care.
👉 Download the report

For further information, please contact IPDSupport@miaa.nhs.uk

*Accredited official statistics- Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2023 to 2024: report, Published 28 November2024