Trust launches alcohol toolkit in emergency departments

The trust is the first in Northern Ireland to provide this advice tool in the Ulster, Lagan Valley and Downe Hospital Emergency Departments which will be used by staff who see people who attend the department with alcohol related issues.

The scheme was launched recently by Health Minister Jim Wells.

With around 140,000 people attending the Ulster, Lagan Valley and Downe Emergency Departments every year with approximately 80% of these attendances particularly at the weekend being alcohol related, there was a need to address this growing issue.

The advice tool developed by Emergency Department staff and the Alcohol and You Partnership, (South Eastern Trust, ASCERT, FASA, and Addiction NI), embraces NICE guidelines for effective behaviour change. It will draw the person’s attention to the relationship between their presentation to the Emergency Department and their alcohol consumption.

The advice tool will direct people to a number of options for support, the easiest 
being the ‘Alcohol and You’ website (www.alcoholand
youni.com) which has a self-help section.

If anyone wants further face to face intervention, there is easy access to one- to-one support via the clinics or counselling within Alcohol and You which is funded by the Big Lottery’s Impact of Alcohol programme.

Using advice in the Emergency Department that sees large numbers of people who are not seeking help with their drinking, but none-the-less are affected by alcohol, creates a unique and invaluable opportunity to reduce alcohol related harm

Mr Wells said: “Alcohol misuse is one of the biggest public health challenges we face. It costs Northern Ireland up to £900 million every year, with almost £250 million of these costs borne by 
the Health and Social Care Sector.

“Alcohol misuse increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and liver disease, and can also lead to poor mental health and self-harm. Our hospitals and emergency departments are significantly impacted by alcohol misuse; each year there are over 12,000 alcohol-related hospital admissions and eight out of ten attendances at our 
emergency departments during peak times are due to alcohol-related injuries or problems.

“Any measure that helps to reduce the pressure on our emergency departments is to be welcomed and I commend the South Eastern Health Trust, the Big Lottery Fund, and community and voluntary sector partners - ASCERT, FASA, and Addiction NI - for taking this innovative approach.”