Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic - London

BMA Board of Science
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Recommendations
As a GP I usually refer to the Drugs and Alcohol team, but due to the lack of
services/resources there are long waiting times before patients are seen by the team,
and then another wait before they get detoxification (which for my patients is only
available outside of our local area). So even though we spend time advising
patients and refer them for treatment, without immediate help patients tend not to
keep appointments and continue to drink.
BMA member
The detection and management of alcohol misuse should be an adequately funded and
resourced component of primary and secondary care in the UK to include:
formal screening for alcohol misuse
referral for brief interventions and specialist alcohol treatment services as appropriate
follow-up care and assessment at regular intervals.
A system for the detection and management of alcohol misuse in primary care should occur
via the implementation of a direct enhanced service by the UK health departments. This
must be adequately funded and resourced.
Systems for the detection and management of alcohol misuse should be developed for A&E
care and the general hospital setting throughout the UK. These must be adequately funded
and resourced.
Comprehensive training and guidance should be provided to all relevant healthcare
professionals on the identification and management of alcohol misuse.
Funding for specialist alcohol treatment services should be significantly increased and ringfenced
to ensure all individuals who are identified as having severe alcohol problems or who
are alcohol dependent are offered referral to specialised alcohol treatment services at the
earliest possible stage.
There should be continual assessment of the need for and provision of alcohol treatment
services in the UK, building on the 2004 Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project in
England, and ensuring similar assessment is undertaken throughout the UK.
Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic 67