Issue - meetings

Anne Charlesworth, Head of Alcohol and Drug Strategy Team, Public Health, gave the following powerpoint presentation:-

-        Specialist Alcohol Commissioning Feedback highlighting the strengths in Rotherham

• Strong commissioning profile which had facilitated excellent engagement across primary care
• Integration across all substance misuse provision raising the skills and competencies of the workforce
• Embracing a clear recovery orientated vision at both strategic and delivery level
• Clear clinical pathways supported by regular and robust negotiations with partners
• A shared sense of responsibility had been fostered which had improved joint working
• Improving outcomes despite significant increases in demand

-        Benchmark activity

-        Latest initiatives

o       Call it a Night website

o       Picking up young people presenting at A&E and ensuring School Nursing follow up (or specialist services if aged 16-18 years)

o       Alcohol Awareness Week

o       Staff training

o       Identifying alcohol use levels via Police Custody Suite

o       Street Pastors

-        Alcohol Services

• 1 of 4 areas undertaking National Payment by Result pilot for Department of Health
• Increased target to include ‘problem’ drinkers and more ‘Tier 2’ intervention
• Staff numbers reduced
• Primary Care Scheme now included all but 5 practices
• Lifeline continued to exceed targets to offer assessments and interventions
• Case management of high impact users of hospital and ambulance services
• Improved collaboration between hospital care and specialist services

Discussion ensued on the presentation:-

-        Yorkshire and the Humber was the worst region in the country for young drinkers but the number had increased nationally

-        Those that presented at hospital were normally known to other services

-        Evidence showed that the relative costs of alcohol and the amount of alcohol consumed at home had exceeded expectations.  Scotland had brought in unit pricing and taxation which was a very good first step

-        Need to refresh the commitment of all partners

-        Research in the big cities had ascertained that young people found drinking alcohol enjoyable and enjoyed the sensation of getting drunk

-        Key source of alcohol was from the home followed by purchase by an older person

-        The definition of “binge” drinking was actually ½ of the weekly limit i.e. 7 units

-        Need to be included in the JSNA and HWB Strategy

-        The need for partners to review outcomes from the measures implemented and improve future targeting

Anne was thanked for her presentation.

Resolved:-  That the CCG evaluate the effectiveness of existing actions to improve impact and report back to this Board thereon.