Pouring out help for victims of alcohol abuse

Sobering new statistics reveal binge drinking has grown into a massive national problem.

In the Chesterfield Borough area, an estimated 17 per cent of the population binge drink, and in NE Derbyshire it's an estimated 16 per cent – with hundreds of these people ending up in hospital.

Health chiefs in the county have now launched one of the first initiatives of its kind in the UK to cut the personal misery and ill-health caused by alcohol abuse.

It might be fatigue, indigestion, stomach pains, anxiety or obesity that makes people see their GP.

Or a fall, road accident or fight that lands someone in casualty.

But many such patients in Derbyshire are now increasingly likely to be asked five little questions about their drinking habits.

It's all part of a new strategy by primary care trusts in north Derbyshire through which an extra £78,000 a year is being pumped into the area's health services.

Training will be provide for GPs and other NHS professionals to spot where problem drinking is triggering illnesses – and enable patients to get the help or treatment they need.

The move will cover the whole of Derbyshire, except Glossop and Derby City.

Dr David Black, director of public health for Chesterfield PCT, said: "Alcohol problems haven't been recognised by the people with them, or by the doctors."

Answering the five questions which health professionals will be trained to ask will "take about 20 seconds," added Dr Black.

Depending on answers to the questions about how often and how much people drink, patients score from one to a maximum of 25 – and if they score five or above it means it could be useful to discuss their drinking with a professional.

Support offered can vary from being a patient asked by a GP to keep a diary of alcohol being consumed, and being given a leaflet on safe drinking, to counselling, or – for heavy drinkers dependant on alcohol – help in detoxing from the community alcohol team.

Dr Black said: "We expect when this training is rolled out to GPs there will be a significant increase in referrals.

"Part of our strategy is giving health professionals the confidence to ask the questions, and also to ensure that when patients are referred there's a high quality service to help them that hasn't got waiting lists. That's why we're putting extra money into this."

"Most people who drink more than they should are not alcoholics. You can drink too much without realising it. A lot of people might think it is all right drinking half a bottle of wine a night but it can contribute to a lot of health problems."

Helen Severns, assistant director of commissioning for north Derbyshire PCTs, said: "We are probably one of the first to produce a localised alcohol strategy because we recognised the need."

Elaine Handley, manager for North Derbyshire Alcohol Service (NDAAS), says that when the service carried out a pilot project to train health professionals in Bolsover to carry out screening for alcohol problems, referrals of patients to the service increased by 25 per cent.

Elaine added: "I think it has been a difficult issue for GPs to raise with patients."

Chesterfield Today