Over recent years the South East Alcohol Innovation Programme (SEAIP) delivered a variety of projects aiming to reduce alcohol-related harm across the South East. The programme was commissioned by the Government Office for the South East and delivered by the Centre for Public Innovation.
The evaluation, supported by Lundbeck pharmaceutical company, covers 10 projects, assessing their performance and potential for cost savings over the period between 2009-2011. Key findings support recommendations from the Alcohol Improvement Programme's list of High Impact Changes.
Download the South East Alcohol Innovation Programme Evaluation Report [pdf] or see the CPI press release.
The most potentially cost effective projects were those which addressed so-called Frequent Flyers, where intensive case management of patients with serious alcohol conditions can result in better management in the community. This can result in admissions avoidance and reduced unnecessary A&E attendance. Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) by Pharmacy staff has also shown potential for cost savings. This project, together with some of the Frequent Flier projects, has been adopted as a QIPP initiative in the South East.
Less tangible potential cost savings were demonstrated by some of the other projects, including those which promoted Self Help, an IBA training project for health workers and 2 other Frequent Flier projects. However, even where cost-benefits were not immediately identifiable, the SEAIP state that other benefits were clearly obtained, such as improved working relationships and local "Champion" development.
Recommendations from the evaluation call on commissioners to gain an in-depth picture of local alcohol harm, adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to problems, ensure adequate data capture and sharing, and allocate adequate staff time to deliver on initiatives to reduce alcohol harms.
Further alcohol projects, reports and guidance can be found from the Alcohol Learning Centre, including a report on the findings from the Alcohol National Support Team. A full suite of NICE alcohol guidance is also now available.
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