NHS South of Tyne and Wear invests £5.6m in new services to reduce alcohol misuse
In line with the Department of Health's national campaign to reduce alcohol misuse, NHS South of Tyne and Wear has invested £5.6m to develop new services to support people with alcohol problems and reduce alcohol-related harm, and will launch the services under its 'Drink Less. Live More.' campaign during alcohol awareness week (19 - 25 October 2009).
Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland all sit among the ten per cent of areas across England with the highest rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions. The new services will establish positive, controlled relationships with alcohol - reducing the burden on people's health and the health services.
This network of alcohol treatment services provide a range of professional advice and support with telephone helplines, websites, support groups, drop-ins and residential care located across the three Primary Care Trust areas.
Free access to NHS South of Tyne and Wear's new online Alcohol Help Centre is available through a confidential assessment to help people identify if their alcohol consumption patterns are putting their health at risk.
As well as working with local GPs, alcohol advice and support phone lines and open access centres have also been developed to help direct people to the service or programme that will work for them, helping them reduce their consumption to allow for a healthier, happier lifestyle.
Treatment centres include peer support groups such as South Tyneside's North East Regional Alcohol Forum, rehabilitation packages managed by Sunderland Drug and Alcohol Team and support for carers of people who misuse alcohol, such as Gateshead Carers' Association, amongst others.
Dr David Hambleton, Director of Commissioning and Reform for NHS South of Tyne and Wear, said: "The health-related problems we are experiencing in the area from alcohol dependency are serious, whether they stem from alcohol-induced violence or long-term illness from alcohol misuse.
"There is a proven link between drinking and over 60 different medical conditions so it's important we help people understand what the health risks are, what sensible drinking is and also set up a support network to help people reduce their alcohol intake. That's why we've invested in these new services.
"It's all too easy to have a drink after a hard day at work but often we don't understand how this routine can detrimentally impact our health."
A number of national and regional campaigns have been launched to help change the way we drink alcohol and the new NHS South of Tyne and Wear alcohol services will work in conjunction with these campaigns to reach people at a local level.
David continues: "We are working closely with the national NHS campaign 'Alcohol: Know Your Limits' as well as with the North East Alcohol Office - Balance. Having information and support networks available at all levels is crucial to changing attitudes to alcohol.
"Through our new services, we'll be providing people with free access to information that will help them decide whether they need to reduce their alcohol consumption and there are a range of centres and support groups to help people achieve this, no matter what their needs.
This is an important development for the area and will help people live happier, safer lives."
A service directory of alcohol service providers in South of Tyne and Wear is available online at: www.drinklesslivemore.co.uk or from the Public Health Improvement Information Team on 0191 283 1125 or 0191 283 1124. A range of alcohol awareness material including the Dept of Health's Know Your Limits messages can also be requested by contacting the Public Health Improvement Information Team.