A primary care alcohol support service has been launched in Bradford by the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).
A network of primary care alcohol workers are providing help and support to GP practices in Bradford, for people concerned about their drinking.
Currently, the new service is available at over 30 practices but the aim is to extend this to all surgeries in Bradford.
A primary care alcohol support service has been launched in Bradford by the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).
A network of primary care alcohol workers are providing help and support to GP practices in Bradford, for people concerned about their drinking.
Currently, the new service is available at over 30 practices but the aim is to extend this to all surgeries in Bradford.
Bradford City CCG and Bradford Districts CCG have invested over £200,000 in the primary care service, for people whose drinking is hazardous or harmful, and an assessment hub, for people who are dependent drinkers.
The funding is part of a new £1.2m package of investment in alcohol services commissioned by the three CCGs in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. This is a pilot project running over two years which will be evaluated to understand the impact the new services have made.
In Bradford and Airedale 92,000 people drink at hazardous levels, with 17,000 of these at harmful levels. This data shows that alcohol misuse continues to cause a range of problems, especially health problems, locally.
There is an increasing range of practical support and advice on offer across the district to help people with alcohol problems, and new funding from the CCGs is expanding the range of alcohol misuse services on offer.
By basing support services in GP surgeries, so that patients can see an alcohol worker without having to go anywhere else, the CCGs hope more people will seek help before their drinking becomes a more serious problem.
Dr Graham Sanderson, the CCGs’ clinical specialty lead for alcohol, said: “Tackling the harm caused by alcohol is a top priority for us, and we are committed to working with partner agencies to stop the rise in the number of people suffering health and social problems due to alcohol misuse.
“I’m pleased that the new funding from the CCGs is starting to make a real difference where it’s needed most – at primary care level where people can easily access help and advice and take steps to change their lifestyle. The funding is also providing more intensive support for those people who need immediate help for their alcohol problems.”
