MEDWAY'S only addiction clinic has reached crisis point with a waiting list of 120 drug addicts.

Staff at the troubled Manor Road Addiction Services in Chatham, which treats thousands of alcoholics and drug addicts a year, say the clinic has hit rock bottom. Severe staff shortages and lack of funding mean that new patients have to wait a minimum of six months for a clinic appointment to help them beat their habit.

Financial problems at the clinic, which is run by the Thames Gateway NHS Trust, have spiralled out of control over the years and several staff are threatening to walk out on their jobs unless the service is put back on track.

Medway and Swale Community Health Council is now keeping a watchful eye on the clinic as chief officer Graham Hills says he is "deeply concerned". He said: "We have been aware of the waiting list difficulties for some months, but the situation is now quite horrific.

"These addicts come forward to seek help in coming off dangerous drugs, instead they are being turned away." He added that he had asked for a written update from the Addiction Services but "nothing had materialised".

Despite information received by the Medway Today newspaper revealing there is a waiting list of 120 addicts, Sue Noot, the adult treatment services manager, says there are only 25 waiting to see the clinical team.

She said: "Yes, we have a waiting list, but our books remain open. It's a myth that we have shut our doors and we are not seeing anyone. We are still down on resources."

Staff have branded the service "a complete and utter mess" and say morale is at an "all-time low". It is understood several staff are considering leaving.

Staff shortages already mean the drop-in centre cannot open on Mondays and the doors of the drop-in centre stayed firmly closed on February 24 because there was just one member of staff on duty. Addicts must attend the outreach centre and needle exchange at Manor Road before they can be seen at the clinical centre in New Road.

The six-month waiting list for an appointment applies to all drug addicts apart from pregnant women, heroin addicts who inject in the groin and those under a court's Drug Testing Order.

Staff say they have to turn addicts away on a daily basis. They go as far as suggesting patients should look for help outside the area, either paying for prescriptions from private clinics or pretending they live elsewhere to be eligible for NHS services.

They also hand out Community Health Council leaflets urging addicts to send written complaints to chief officer Graham Hills.

This comes just weeks after the Chatham clinic was rocked by allegations of bootleg alcohol and cigarettes being sold to staff.

An investigation by Thames Gateway NHS Trust also discovered evidence of bullying and a dictatorial management.