Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP), the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland and Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) Scotland are today calling for better support and treatment for people with alcohol problems in hospitals across Scotland.
Currently there is unequal access to treatment in hospitals nationwide, with some acute hospitals providing a dedicated nursing team to help people with alcohol problems while others, particularly those in rural areas, have no such service. Alcohol Care Teams are multidisciplinary teams predominantly based in acute hospitals that provide specialist care for people identified as having an alcohol-related problem. Evidence suggests that Alcohol Care Teams can reduce acute hospital readmissions along with improving the quality and efficiency of care for those with alcohol-related health problems.
Reflecting research carried out for SHAAP in 2023, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request carried out in August revealed an inconsistent patchwork approach to provision of such support, despite the high number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in Scotland:
- Only two health boards have a multidisciplinary team based in its acute hospitals that provides specialist care for people with alcohol-related problems, led by a senior clinician such as consultant or specialist nurse.
- Eight boards responded that an arrangement similar to an ACT in place, with the majority stating that they had a combined substance use team which provides support to alcohol patients.
- Smaller or more rural health boards did not have teams, such as Orkney, Shetland and Highland.
- Seven health boards had a team providing alcohol support to at least some of the acute hospitals within the health board area. Only Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire had a team in each acute hospital.
- The vast majority of teams were not 7 days a week, but 5 days (Monday to Friday).
- Only one board has an assertive outreach team with staff specifically allocated to patients with alcohol problems who regularly attend A&E.
This wide variation in provision of specialist alcohol services in hospital is why SHAAP, RCN Scotland, and the Addictions Faculty of the RCPsych Scotland, have today called for a new, consistent approach to Alcohol Care Teams in Scotland’s hospitals. Read the Consensus Statement.
Dr Alastair MacGilchrist OBE, Chair of SHAAP said:
“Everyone deserves access to the same level of treatment, no matter where they live.
“The delivery of ACTs varies greatly across the country. While some health boards operate a 7 day service, others have none at all. It is particularly concerning that provision is often limited in smaller and more rural health boards, creating a disparity between urban and rural areas.
“Alcohol Care Teams are a tested, cost-effective way of getting support for people with alcohol problems so that they can reduce intake and in many cases embark on a recovery journey. Research has shown that the presence of an ACT in acute hospitals can free up resources so health professionals can see more patients, more quickly.
The Scottish Government should now support health boards to improve ACTs, so every person with an alcohol problem in an acute hospital in Scotland can access the care they need.”
Dr Jane Morris, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said:
“Alcohol affects both the physical and mental health of people across Scotland.
“It contributes to the toll of deaths from suicide, acting as a mood depressant and making it harder for our patients to achieve full recovery.
“It’s only fair that people should have access to evidence-based care for alcohol problems, regardless of where they live, and is why we fully support these calls.
“Our ranking on alcohol deaths globally is shocking. We also know people with mental health conditions are more likely to suffer from addiction, which contributes to a 15 to 20-year mortality gap.
“This is why we’re asking the Scottish Government to back a fully funded national strategy to halve the gap by 2050.”
Colin Poolman, Executive Director, RCN Scotland said:
“In these times, when health services are under such pressure, we need to invest in solutions that work.
“Alcohol Care Teams have demonstrated their effectiveness, having a positive impact on the physical and mental health of people with alcohol problems and reducing some of the pressures on acute hospitals.
“Given our nation’s record on alcohol use, we cannot afford not to invest in a consistent approach and ensure 24/7 access to an ACT across all our acute hospitals.”