The Scrutiny Review Panel - Alcohol Use: The Effectiveness of Treatment met to discuss and refine draft recommendations for improving alcohol treatment services in Stockport. The panel discussed a series of recommendations focusing on a system-wide approach, data and intelligence, licensing, lived experience, the treatment system, hospital-based provision, and sharing best practice. These recommendations will be refined and incorporated into a final report.

Developing Recommendations for Alcohol Treatment Services

The panel discussed draft recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of alcohol treatment services in Stockport. These recommendations, detailed in the Draft recommendations to consider, were developed following presentations and discussions on various aspects of alcohol harm and treatment.

System-wide Approach and Partnership Working: Recommendations were discussed to further strengthen partnership working to reduce alcohol harm through a systems approach. This includes improving data sharing and integrated referral pathways to identify individuals needing alcohol treatment, thereby reducing unmet need. The panel also discussed reviewing current service provision across primary care, mental health, and acute trusts to identify the optimal model of care for those affected by alcohol dependency and to secure sustainable funding.

Data and Intelligence: The panel discussed the need to enhance the understanding and quality of data related to alcohol-related harm. This encompasses data on alcohol-related harm associated with violence and domestic violence, the use and impact of the Audit-C alcohol screening tool in health settings, and trauma and injury data. Furthermore, the development of an alcohol data matrix tool was discussed to provide insights into factors influencing alcohol harm across Stockport.

Licensing: Recommendations for licensing included strengthening local licensing policy as part of the ongoing policy review process, with a greater focus on public health considerations within existing legislation. The panel also discussed the importance of continued close collaboration with prospective licensees to improve licence details and conditions. It was proposed that the alcohol data matrix tool, once established, should inform the review of licensee applications, considering factors such as local alcohol dependency levels and the density of licensed premises. The continuation of multi-agency meetings with responsible authorities to discuss current and existing applications was also discussed. Additionally, a review of training for councillors involved in licensing decisions was suggested, focusing on alcohol-related harm and community impact. A recommendation was discussed to write to the Secretary of State, advocating for public health to be a statutory consideration in licensing policy, particularly during the government's ongoing review, and to brief local MPs. The potential use of cumulative impact areas as a tool was also to be kept under active consideration.

Lived Experience and Community: The panel discussed strengthening the emphasis on lived experience in the design and delivery of alcohol services. They also discussed working with communities to understand, challenge, and mitigate the stigma associated with seeking treatment for alcohol misuse. Encouraging and supporting the establishment of community-based groups, building on the learning from programmes like the Ambassadors programme and other peer support initiatives, was also a key discussion point.

Treatment System: Recommendations for the treatment system included targeted work to increase referrals by strengthening relationships and referral pathways with partners such as Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, primary care, and the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, incorporating a live well approach. The panel also discussed exploring opportunities to support the funding of existing alcohol treatment services.

Hospital-Based Provision: The panel discussed reviewing and implementing new UK clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment, specifically those concerning care for individuals with alcohol use disorders in acute hospitals. This includes ensuring a multidisciplinary approach, managing withdrawal, treating complications, and planning discharge to maintain continuity of care with community alcohol treatment services. A key point was the discussion around ensuring specialist alcohol care is available seven days a week in all inpatient wards and emergency departments at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, with robust pathways to other departments. The exploration of additional funding opportunities within the health and care system, or how to achieve this within current funding, was also discussed to ensure equity and sustainability.

Sharing Best Practice: A recommendation was discussed to share learning and best practice with other partners and stakeholders, particularly regarding the importance of embedding lived experience in services, drawing on the example of alcohol treatment services.

Councillor Karl Wardlaw, Vice-Chair of the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee, and Councillor Rachel Bresnahan, Chair of the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee, were among the attendees. Councillor Keith Holloway, Chair of the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme South Area Committee, and Wendy Wild, also noted as Chair of the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee, were present, alongside Caleb Harris.

The panel agreed that these recommendations would be refined and then moved forward for inclusion in the final report, which will be circulated for comment before proceeding through internal governance procedures, scrutiny committees, and ultimately to the Cabinet for approval. The next steps involve minor formatting amendments and the subsequent stages of the review process.