The new investment confirms NHS South of Tyne and Wear's commitment to supporting people who have alcohol problems and reducing alcohol-related harm as one of its top priorities over the next three years.

The new funds will be used to provide brief interventions to reduce alcohol consumption, increase the number of treatment places available, reduce local waiting lists and expand support services for those with health problems caused by harmful drinking.

Marietta Evans, Public Health Alcohol Lead for NHS South of Tyne and Wear, said: "We are well aware that excessive alcohol consumption may cause harm not only to the individual drinker's health but can also impact on family, friends, and other people due to binge drinking or drink driving for example.

"Considerable new investment is now being committed locally to tackle excessive drinking and to help those people who have alcohol related problems.

"The additional funding will substantially expand local alcohol treatment services at all levels. They will include a range of preventive measures and interventions for those at an early stage of problematic drinking right through to specialist treatment and detox services to assist those who have long term alcohol related health and social issues."

Proposals to expand local community and specialist treatment services are being put in place immediately and will provide a consistent client centred approach to dealing with alcohol related health issues across Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Screening will be carried out to identify and help those drinking at hazardous or harmful levels and those needing long-term support to give up or reduce their alcohol consumption. For dependent drinkers expanded clinical services will be provided to those who have complex needs and who require intensive support such as detoxification and rehabilitation programmes.

Specialist alcohol counselling posts will be established and new intervention services set up in hospitals, GP surgeries and the criminal justice system to provide advice and support for those presenting with drink-related injuries or problems.

The new service proposals have been developed by the three PCTs in conjunction with each local authorities, Northumbria Police, secondary are providers, the Probation Service, the Community and Voluntary sector and other local stakeholders.

Dr David Hambleton, Director of Commissioning and Reform, NHS South of Tyne and Wear, said: "This new investment represents the first step of our serious commitment to dealing with local health problems caused by harmful drinking.

"We know that we have much higher admissions to hospital for alcohol related diseases than other parts of the country and our specialists are reporting increases in liver disease. In addition, while overall crime levels are falling, Northumbria Police tell us of their concern over alcohol associated crime activity, particularly with violent incidents and domestic violence.

"The expanded alcohol services we are introducing have therefore been developed with input from all the various organisations involved with this problem. As such they have been designed to have a widespread positive impact on the health of individuals and in the communities in which they live. "

The new services will be delivered by a combination of dedicated nursing teams working from GP practices and other NHS facilities, alongside specialist alcohol counselling and support services from specialist community providers and local voluntary and charitable organisations.

The plans by NHS South of Tyne and Wear to expand these new local alcohol related services across Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland, follow closely on the recent announcement of the creation of a new North East Alcohol Office by the Government Office for the North East.

Details of the help available for anyone with alcohol problems is available on Freephone 0800 328 6728.

Photo Caption: Left to Right, Marietta Evans and Dr David Hambleton of NHS South of Tyne & Wear.

ENDS

More details of expanded services:

Some of the key actions to be undertaken to reduce alcohol related harm and hospital admissions across Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland are as follows:

- Improvements in the effectiveness and capacity of specialist treatment systems
- Improved pathways into treatment to support reduction of alcohol related hospital admissions
- Provision of more help for people who want to drink less
- Development and improvement of integrated alcohol services
- Development of brief interventions to be delivered in primary care, accident & emergency and specialist wards
- Close wearing with criminal justice system and development of brief interventions
- Develop local health campaigns to amplify national messages

The impact of alcohol on local health:

- Estimated proportions of the adult population engaged in binge drinking across NHS South of Tyne and Wear are significantly higher than the average across England (of 18%).

South Tyneside 27.09% Gateshead 27.06% Sunderland 26.81%

- Hospital stays due to alcohol (rates per 100,000 population) across NHS South of Tyne and Wear are considerably higher than the England average (of 247.7).

Gateshead 523 Sunderland 470 South Tyneside 411.9

- Mortality rates for chronic liver disease are increasing across all three localities.

- Years of lost life rates to alcohol related disease are higher than the national average.

Issued on behalf of NHS South of Tyne and Wear by Mitchell Halton Watson PR. For further details, contact:

Ian Watson ian@mhwpr.co.uk 0191 233 1300
Jo Baron jo@mhwpr.co.uk 0191 233 1300
Virginia Lingstadt Virginia@mhwpr.co.uk 0191 233 1300