A specialist squad is to be set up to help towns with the most drink-related hospital admissions fight their alcohol problems. Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced the formation of the National Alcohol Support Team during a speech on tackling health inequalities.
The 10 worst-affected towns or local authority areas across England will get targeted support by March next year. The Alcohol Support Team will be made up of civil servants who will advise primary care trusts about how they can tackle alcohol misuse in their areas.
Measures could include introducing specialist alcohol nurses into A&E to offer support to patients for drinking-related problems, or offering safe drinking advice in settings such as sexual health clinics. The Department of Health highlighted evidence to show that for every eight people who received brief advice, one cut down on the amount of alcohol they drank. In addition to the 10 visits in this financial year, there will be around 18 visits in 2009-10, and at least 20 the following year. BBC News
For more information, see this previous post.
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