Alcohol liaison service introduced at Countess of Chester Hospital

Sep 7 2010 Chester Chronicle

A LOCAL NHS Trust is providing an alcohol liaison service at the Countess of Chester Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.

Chester Alcohol Service, which is based at Aqua House in Chester and run by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), has placed two nurses at the hospital to offer interventions to patients presenting with alcohol related symptoms or injuries.

Julia Cottier, CWP’s Alcohol service manager, said: “The Profile for Alcohol Related Harm for Cheshire West and Chester 2010 shows rates of alcohol attributable hospital admissions to be significantly higher than the national average.

“This project aims to reduce the numbers of alcohol attributable admissions and related attendances at A&E by providing specialist alcohol interventions and referral.

Chester Alcohol Service’s clinical coordinator, Patrick King, said: “CWP’s liaison nurses will aim to provide brief alcohol interventions including advice and support. Those individuals who need more intensive alcohol treatment will be referred to Chester’s Alcohol Service.

“Onward referrals will also be provided for those patients from outside of the Western Cheshire and Chester area.”