A briefing paper from SHAAP for the Scottish Government debate: ‘A Caring Nation – Recovering, Remobilising and Renewing Health and Social Care in Scotland’ (Tuesday 14th September 2021).
This briefing was prepared for the Scottish Government debate: ‘A Caring Nation – Recovering, Remobilising and Renewing Health and Social Care in Scotland’ on Tuesday 14th September 2021.
It is SHAAP’s view that the Government should commit to specific actions to strengthen alcohol-specific treatment and support services backed by dedicated funding, in the same way they have done for drug and mental health services. These actions should include:
– Establishing acute alcohol care teams in hospitals that can undertake screening, maintain contact and offer intensive outreach to the most vulnerable. – Increasing the numbers of Addiction Psychiatrists within acute hospital settings. – Ensuring that there are adequate services for people with alcohol problems in the community, and that primary and community-based services take a joined up approach to referral and care through better communication – for instance, between mental health and addiction services. – Providing for the development of knowledge and skills regarding alcohol as a part of health and social care staff training. – Incorporating the specific needs of diverse groups and populations – such as LGBTQI+ communities, refugees and asylum seekers and older people (as examples) – into service design and delivery to ensure equity of access to alcohol services.- Reviewing Scotland’s innovative Alcohol Brief Intervention (ABI) programme in line with recent advances in knowledge to ensure it is effective.
Briefing for ‘A Caring Nation – Recovering, Remobilising and Renewing Health and Social Care in Scotland’ debate
September 2021