Drink problem to be aided by new cash pot; In association with the NHS A funding boost has been given to Tyneside alcohol treatment services. Health Reporter HELEN RAE finds out more about the new multi-million pound investment.

Byline: HELEN RAE

SIGNIFICANT new investment is being made in new and expanded alcohol treatment services by three local health primary care trusts.

NHS South of Tyne and Wear, incorporating the primary care trusts in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland, plans to invest pounds 5.6m annually in additional services to help those with alcohol-related health problems.

The new funding confirms NHS South of Tyne and Wear's commitment to supporting people with alcohol problems and reducing alcohol-related harm as one of its top priorities over the next three years.

The money will be used to provide brief interventions to reduce alcohol consumption, increase the number of treatment places available, reduce local waiting lists and expand support services.

Marietta Evans, public health alcohol lead for NHS South of Tyne and Wear, said: "We are well aware excessive alcohol consumption may cause harm, not only to the individual drinker's health but it can also impact on family, friends, and other people.

IMPACT OF ALCOHOL ON THE REGION

ESTIMATED proportions of the adult population engaged in binge drinking across NHS South of Tyne & Wear are significantly higher than the English average of 18% - South Tyneside, 27.09%; Gateshead, 27.06%; and Sunderland, 26.81%.

Hospital stays due to alcohol - rates per 100,000 population - across NHS South of Tyne & Wear are considerably higher than the England average of 247.7 - Gateshead, 523; Sunderland, 470; South Tyneside, 411.9

Mortality rates for chronic liver disease are increasing across all three localities.

Years of lost life rates to alcohol-related disease are higher than the national average.

"Considerable new investment is now being committed locally to tackle excessive drinking and to help those people who have alcoholrelated problems.

"The additional funding will substantially expand alcohol treatment services at all levels.

"They will include a range of preventative measures and interventions for those at an early stage of problematic drinking right through to specialist treatment and detox services to assist those who have long-term alcohol-related health and social issues."

Proposals to expand local community and specialist treatment services are being put in place and will provide a consistent client-centred approach to dealing with alcohol-related health issues across the region.

Screening will be carried out to identify and help those drinking at hazardous or harmful levels and those needing long-term support to give up or reduce their drinking.

For dependent drinkers, expanded clinical services will be provided to those who have complex needs and who require intensive support such as detoxification and rehabilitation programmes.

Specialist alcohol counselling posts will be established and new intervention services set up in hospitals, GP surgeries and the criminal justice system to provide advice and support.

The new service proposals have been developed by the three PCTs in conjunction with local authorities, Northumbria Police, the Probation Service, the community and voluntary sector and other local stakeholders.

Dr David Hambleton, director of commissioning and reform, NHS South of Tyne and Wear, said: "This new investment represents the first step of our serious commitment to dealing with local health problems caused by harmful drinking. We know that we have much higher admissions to hospital for alcohol-related diseases than other parts of the country and our specialists are reporting increases in liver disease.

"In addition, while overall crime levels are falling, Northumbria Police tell us of their concern over alcoholassociated crime, particularly with violent incidents and domestic violence.

"The expanded alcohol services we are introducing have therefore been developed with input from all the organisations involved with this problem.

"As such, they have been designed to have a widespread positive impact on the health of individuals and the communities in which they live."

The new services will be delivered by a combination of dedicated nursing teams working from GP practices and other NHS facilities, alongside specialist alcohol counselling and support services from specialist community providers and local voluntary and charitable organisations.

The plans to expand these new local alcohol-related services follow closely on the recent announcement of the creation of a new North East Alcohol Office by the Government Office for the North East.

Details of the help available for anyone with alcohol problems is available on Freephone 0800 328 6728.

MORE DETAILS OF EXPANDED SERVICES

SOME of the key actions to be undertaken to reduce alcoholrelated harm and hospital admissions across Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland are as follows:

Improvements in the effectiveness and capacity of specialist treatment systems;

Improved pathways into treatment to support reduction of alcohol-related hospital admissions;

Provision of more help for people who want to drink less;

Development and improvement of integrated alcohol services;

Development of brief interventions to be delivered in primary care, accident and emergency and specialist wards;

Close working with criminal justice system and development of brief interventions;

Development of local health campaigns to amplify national messages.

CAPTION(S):

BOOZE BRITAIN - Excessive drinking can impact on the drinker's family and friends. Picture posed by a model; PRIORITY - the service will target excessive drinking and help people with alcohol-related problems. Picture posed by models; TACKLING PROBLEM - Marietta Evans and Dr David Hambleton of NHS South of Tyne & Wear