Drug Driving Update

APatience provided members with an update on progress on the Drug Driving Toxicology Service. During discussions the following matters were raised;

The Chair asked for an update on the commitment in the report that “All in-house drug driving cases with a pre-2023 incident date are expected to be completed by end April 2023.”. FDouglas advised that there are 8 Section 5a cases that are open in relation to cases that are pre 2023 and 14 section 4 cases for the same period and provided a rationale for that. FDouglas advised that the Section 5a cases would be completed within the next week. Section 4 cases require more detailed and complex testing, therefore they will take longer. Members were advised that some new cases were being taken in-house, with as many as possible being outsourced. The process of outsourcing will continue for a considerable period of time to allow internal capacity to grow. FDouglas advised that by the end of the financial year there should be sufficient in-house capacity to be able to service current levels of demand. It will be the Long Term Sustainable Model that will then address the changes in demand in order to make the legislation as effective as possible. 

JRyder referred to expected demand and sought assurance that they are not internal assumptions but expectations from Police Scotland. APatience advised that they work closely with Police Scotland and the demand forecast is based on the best available information. JRyder referred to page 9 where it references the 10 week window of statutory time limit and asked what the ideal timescale would be. APatience advised that in terms of reporting 5a cases the target is 3 months, as agreed as part of the tri-partite arrangement. Similar discussions have been had with the outsource partner and they are also aware of this timescale.

Members NOTED the report.