online resource "alcohol learning centre" launched

As part of the Department of Health's Alcohol Improvement Programme, a new online resource was launched last week at the Safe. Sensible. Social. conference in Nottingham.

The Alcohol Learning Centre "aims to provide online support and resources to commissioners, service managers and practitioners with a responsibility for, or an interest, in the prevention and treatment of alcohol misuse or alcohol-related ill health."

 It has been established by the Department of Health with the support of Alcohol Concern, the NWPHO, and SIPS to support the commissioning and delivery of effective front-line services to identify and provide advice and support to NHS patients whose alcohol consumption is, or may, in the future put them at risk.

The main thrust of the site is the reduction of alcohol-related hospital admissions (which are called Ar-HAs throughout - will the name catch on?).

For example, in the High Impact Changes section, the ALC answers the question How can Primary Care Trusts best reduce alcohol admissions?

"Based on the best available evidence the Department of Health has identified key actions that Primary Care Trusts (PCT's) can take which will make the highest impact on reducing alcohol related harm and admissions. DH calculates that the following specific actions are calculated to be most likely to impact on the PSA target within the PSA period:

• Prioritise the alcohol Vital Sign (VSC26) within NHS Operational Plans and NIS39 in LAAs
• Improve specialist treatment access, capacity and effectiveness
• Implement Identification and brief advice (IBA) in - Health: A&E, Specialist Clinics, Primary Care - Criminal Justice
• Provide local implementation of national media campaigns
• Identify local champions & build the case for investment
• Work with local partners to develop activities to control alcohol misuse

Clearly alcohol related harms and therefore needs differ significantly between localities and local NHS & other public sector actors will prioritise investment between these actions in accordance with local priorities."