The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) have released an alcohol briefing (PHB6) as part of its suite of public health briefings for local government - see NICE press release.
NICE have based the guidance on its comprehensive set of resources, guidance and quality standards for the prevention and treatment of alcohol problems. NICE reccomond a two-pronged approach to alcohol misuse, with a combination of interventions aimed at the whole population and individuals.
The briefing aims to support local government in its public health role, including its leadership of Health and Wellbeing boards forthcoming duty to commission alcohol misuse prevention and treatment interventions. As of April 2013 public health functions will be formally transferred from Primary Care Trusts to local authorities, some challenges explored in a recent Guardian public health article.
The briefing summarises evidence, actions and recommendations covering key areas:
- What can local authorities achieve by tackling alcohol misuse?
- What NICE says
- Developing an action plan
- Costs and savings
- Facts and figures
- Support for planning, review and scrutiny
- Other useful resources and advice
- About the briefing
The briefing may be regarded as a strategy template for Health & Wellbeing boards who will have overall responsibility for local level alcohol harm reduction. Of course many areas already have local alcohol strategies in place - examples of which can be found on the Alcohol Learning Centre. See here for the recent National Alcohol Strategy.
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