DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 5 November 2008
Twenty of the
areas worst hit by alcohol misuse are to receive support as part
of a new programme which will help the local health service better
identify and intervene with those at risk, Public Health Minister
Dawn Primarolo announced today.
Speaking at the National Alcohol Conference in Nottingham, Ms
Primarolo announced a new, wide-reaching Alcohol Improvement
Programme to accelerate progress on reducing alcohol-related harm.
The new programme, backed by £6 million will:
* establish regional alcohol managers to push forward alcohol
treatment and advice at a local level;
* pull together local
information on statistics, hospital admissions and medical
conditions to help treatment commissioners;
* help increase
access to specialist treatment - there is currently just one place
for every 18 people who show signs of dependence; and
* push
out simple advice which, nationally, could help 250,000 men and
70,000 women to bring their drinking down to lower risk levels.
The twenty areas are some of the most deprived in the country and
are most seriously affected by alcohol-related harm. Reducing
alcohol problems is key to reducing inequality - these areas will
be the first to take bold steps and get to grips with the problem.
An additional £1 million will fund a new Alcohol Learning Centre
and support activities. The programme will draw together best
practice and success from each of the 20 areas so other local
health services can learn from the programme.
Ms Primarolo said:
"More than a quarter of adults in England drink above
Government guidelines and around 15,000 people die because of
alcohol every year. We clearly have a serious problem that needs
urgent attention.
"Starting with the most deprived areas in inequality
hotspots, we are going to roll out a new programme which will
identify and help drinkers who are at risk. For every pound spent
on alcohol intervention, five pounds are saved by the public purse
- so this is money well spent."
Don Shenker, Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern, said:
"Problem drinkers have faced a postcode lottery for services
for far too long. This new injection of cash is most welcome for
the areas worst affected by alcohol misuse and all areas will
benefit from improved information and guidance. Slowly, but
surely, local areas are now being provided with the tools they
need to invest in alcohol treatment, the challenge will be for
them to convert this into services on the ground for those who
need it most."
Notes to editors:
1. The 20 PCTS that will share the £3 million pot are: Newcastle
PCT, Middlesbrough PCT, Heart of Birmingham PCT, Knowsley PCT,
Manchester PCT, Ashton, Leigh & Wigan PCT, Warrington PCT,
Leicester City PCT, Nottingham City PCT, North Tyneside PCT,
Stoke-on-Trent PCT, North Lincolnshire PCT, South Birmingham PCT,
Newham PCT, North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, Bolton PCT,
East Lancashire PCT, Darlington PCT, Oldham PCT and Blackpool PCT.
2. How the £6 million is split - there will be £3 million for the
20 PCTs plus £2.7 million for regional alcohol managers and
£450,000 for the National Support Team. An additional £1 million
will fund a new Alcohol Learning Centre and support activities.
3. Alan Johnson announced on 9 June ['Health Inequalities -
Progress and Next Steps'] that Spearhead areas would be able
to bid for additional funding to support local improvements in
alcohol services. The outcome of those bids is part of
today's announcement. The £3 million is part of the £34
million funding announced by Alan Johnson on 9 June 2008.
4. For any media enquiries, please contact the Department of
Health Newsdesk, on 020 7210 5221.