PCTs across England are to receive £15M for alcohol treatment as recurring revenue from April 2007 (see previous post for official pronouncements) - probably around £90k each. The London NHS alcohol lead today made a strong case for this money to be spent on A&E based screening and interventions, at a conference attended by PCT commissioners, A&E consultants and alcohol strategy coordinators.
Since this money is coming through Choosing Health, there is the expectation that it will be spent on reducing hazardous and harmful drinking (not on specialist treatment for dependent drinkers), but ultimately it counts as core funding, and PCTs will decide how it is spent. It will not be ringfenced. And that means PCTs might decide not to spend it on alcohol treatment at all.
It was clear from the conference that consultants from many A&E departments in London are keen to develop alcohol screening and interventions - based on models from the Royal Liverpool Hospital and St Mary's Paddington. This will be welcome news to local alcohol strategy coordinators and local crime reduction partnerships, not to mention public health professionals. The challenge is to make sure the new money is spent on alcohol initiatives, in the most effective way, at local level.
What happens next?
- Local partnerships and PCTs should develop plans for using the funding to reduce hazarous and harmful drinking - as per Department of Health guidance
- Different tactics may be needed where local commitment to action on alcohol is poor, and/or where PCTs are particularly cash-strapped (contact us for some ideas on tactics)
Comments