Agenda item

A presentation will be provided.

The Board received a presentation on reducing the harm caused by alcohol and discussed how the Partnership could tackle this.

An overview was provided of the national picture and the prevalence of alcoholism in Haringey. It was noted that there was a clear link between economic deprivation and mortality.

The partnerships key indicator in terms of alcohol harm was National Indicator (NI) 139 (number of alcohol related hospital admissions). As part of the measures taken to address this an Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy had been formed, which included actions for a range of partner agencies and focussed on addressing:

• Alcohol related crime
• Impact of alcohol abuse on children and families
• Alcohol related violence

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety raised concern that at present there was insufficient focus on addressing the link between domestic violence and alcohol abuse. Work recently commissioned by the Safer Communities Executive Board and the Police suggested that between 70% and 80% of domestic violence was linked to alcohol abuse.

In response to a query the Board was advised that work was being carried out to gauge what impact the economic downturn was likely to have on alcohol harm and once further information was available a report would be brought to the HSP.

It was noted that improved coding of alcohol related admissions was partly responsible for the statistical rise recorded. However, it was considered that there was an underlying upward trend in the number of admissions.

Following general discussion the Board broke into groups and the questions set out below were considered two questions: What can your organisation contribute to alcohol harm reduction in Haringey and what can you do as individuals?

The following points were made:

Group 1

• It would be useful if information in relation to hospital related admissions was shared between the Police and NHS and analysed to inform a better joined up approach to knife crime and gun shot wounds and other crimes.

• Information sharing may also be used to determine how attitudes to alcohol within different ethnic groups impacted on crime and health issues.

• The Group felt that more preventative work could be carried out be GP’s to reduce alcohol related admissions.

Group 2

• The Group had discussed the link between Mental Health and alcohol abuse and there was agreement that a more joined up approach could be formed.

• Currently Crisis Resolution teams had direct access to people’s homes and it was suggested that links should be developed with the NHS and Social Services to flag up where additional support may be required.

• It was suggested that more liaison between clinicians and the Mental Health Service would be helpful.

• It was requested that the Council formally support the Chief Medical Officers view that there should be a minimum price per unit for alcohol.

• It was suggested that front line advisors working for Job Centre Plus should be trained in how to detect signs of alcohol abuse and mental health issues.

Group 3

• There needed to be a clear message and campaign focussing on areas where an impact could be made.

• As large employers in the Borough partner organisations should cascade relevant information to their employees. It may be useful to form a mechanism for information to be shared in this way.

• It was recognised that people often disclosed information to Voluntary Sector organisations in the first instance and that this should be recognised.

The Board was advised that these points would be taken back and consideration would be given as to how they could be reflected in the Alcohol Strategy.

RESOLVED:

That an update on how the points raised during discussion had been taken forward.