Aims and objectives:

- to improve the extent to which alcohol misuse is identified and effectively managed in those admitted to all wards and departments in Pinderfields General Hospital;

- to reduce the rate of attendance at accident and emergency and subsequent admission to inpatient services by problematic drinkers;

- through training, promote improved competency and confidence among medical and nursing staff in identifying and responding to alcohol misuse as part of the overall clinical management of patients;

- to facilitate the provision of alcohol related information within the hospital environment;

- to promote the concept of harm reduction for problematic drinkers within the general hospital setting;

- to facilitate an effective and safe transition of care for individuals requiring pharmacological management of the symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal;

- to develop and improve care pathways for problematic drinkers from general hospital and community-based services;

- through effective care planning, promote opportunities for sustained recovery from dependent alcohol use; and

- through the collective use of resources, deliver measurable and improved outcomes, not only to patients at Pinderfields General Hospital but also to carers, the public and the wider community.

- The provider will need to develop and deliver training to staff in the Emergency Department (ED), medical and surgical wards and outpatient departments to enable them to undertake their roles in the system, for example, how to screen, what tools to use, how and who to refer to and how to give brief advice.

The provider will lead on the development of NICE CG115 compliant protocols for the management of alcohol misusers within the hospital (e.g. around alcohol assessment and detoxification).

The provider will also work with primary care, mental health and specialist alcohol treatment services to agree and develop care pathways for alcohol users.