Doctors take harder line with heavy drinkers
GPs are to take a harder line in counseling patients who are heavy drinkers. Doctors leaders in Wales have put forward proposals to break the growing cycle of heavy drinking.
The BMA in Wales has urged the Welsh Assembly Government and the UK Government to work together on several new policies. These include:
- providing a higher level of funding for services designed to treat alcoholism and alcohol-related illnesses
- doctors stepping forward to lead a change both in attitudes and behaviour regarding misuse of alcohol
- A national roll-out of local schemes to outlaw the consumption of alcohol on public streets
- An increase in tax on drinks containing alcohol, with taxation determined by the actual amount of alcohol in the beverage
Chris Jones, Research and Policy Officer at BMA Cymru Wales, said the proposals mean "GPs should raise their awareness and be more proactive in giving advice on drinking during consultations and being more aware and offer advice after the signs of excessive drinking and related illness are diagnosed." GPs will build on work already taking place within their consultation rooms but will take a harder line to encourage heavy drinkers to significantly reduce the amount they drink, he said.
Primary Care Trusts in England and Local Health Boards in Wales will work with local authorities via their Community Safety Partnerships - which include the police, councils, and voluntary groups - to bring about "a national roll out of local schemes to outlaw consumption of alcohol on local streets", he told.
Primary Care Trusts can also "work closer with GP surgeries in developing targeted awareness campaigns and offering alcohol advice clinics," Jones explained.
PCTs are already well on the road to tackling heavy drinking with programmes based in a variety of settings. Northamptonshire Teaching Primary Care Trust and Northamptonshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team, for example, are building up alcohol support services based at Northampton and Kettering general hospitals.
With 18 per cent of people in Northamptonshire admitting to drinking heavily at least once a week, and with hospital admissions for conditions in which alcohol consumption may have been a contributory factor rising, the PCT is investing £45,000 to identify and help people whose health is at risk due to misuse of alcohol.
Lesley Hamilton, Public Health Specialist, Northamptonshire Teaching PCT, said "Alcohol is becoming an increasingly important health issue, both in terms of short term pressures on Acute and Primary Care and the impact on chronic disease and social care."
By identifying people who are in the early stages of alcohol misuse "We will be able to help them manage their alcohol intake before they get serious health and other problems," she said.
The PCT is investing in an alcohol harm reduction liaison programme which will focus on developing referral procedures. Specially trained alcohol workers will be used to assess patients who have been admitted into one of the county's two general hospitals. If alcohol misuse is detected, they will then offer patients brief interventions including motivational interviewing, linking the alcohol use to health concerns, advice, information and a follow up with a professional agency.
Ms Hamilton explained, "Alcohol harm has become a significant burden on health care services and above all can seriously impact on people's health. Approximately 20 per cent of patients admitted to hospital for illnesses unrelated to alcohol are consuming alcohol levels that may cause them harm. Early detection and treatment is key if we are to reduce the impact."