1. Name

2. What is wrong with our drinking in the SW? Alcohol is enjoyed by many people. It makes a positive contribution to a range of social and cultural activities and occasions

3. But alcohol has a negative impact on individuals, families and communities across the region. It also presents one of the most significant challenges to health services and to the public health community

4. Alcohol attributable harm is also a preventable source of health inequalities in the South West People living in the most deprived areas of the region are more likely to die or be admitted to hospital due to alcohol than those in the most affluent areas.

5. Most recent estimates suggest that approximately three quarters of a million (728,500) people aged 16-64 in the region drink to hazardous levels and around 119,000 are dependent drinkers

6. During 2007/08 there were a total of 88,393 alcohol related hospital admissions across the South West

9. During the three years between 2005 – 2008 there were there were 2,494 alcohol specific admissions for under 18 year olds across the South West

10. During 2008/09 there were over 36,000 crimes in the South West that were attributable to alcohol Drink-driving is estimated to account for more than 168 serious injuries and around 50 road deaths in the South West each year

11. Alcohol contributes to levels of violence in the region. In 2008/09 there were over 27,000 recorded violent crimes and over 600 sexual crimes attributable to alcohol

12. The South West Alcohol Improvement Programme Strategic Framework for Improving Health in the South West 2008/09 to 2010/11 NHS SW has set the ambition to halt the rise in hospital admissions for alcohol related harm and achieve a downward trend by 2013 6 areas have prioritised NI 39 within their Local Area Agreements.

13. Supporting improved performance. Within the programme we will support local areas in their target setting and delivery of VSC 26 and NI 39. We will provide a link between the region and DH – reporting on performance and sharing the challenges and successes of the area Input to local strategy development and service planning – currently underway in Gloucestershire, Plymouth and in the New Year in Poole.

14. Treatment services for those who need them Provide support to service improvement and improving alcohol treatment pathways. In support of implementing the High Impact Changes and improving Alcohol Treatment Pathways we are allocating £10,000 to each PCT

15. Raising the Profile bi-monthly electronic newsletter Alcohol Learning Centre website regional pages on that.

16. Building and sharing evidence and good practice The NWPHO has a wealth of information available on its website that is useful in informing local objectives, targets and investment.

17. The SW PHO now reports on the population in Tier 3 and 4 alcohol treatment across the South West Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Bath Spa University

18. Children and young people We will work with NTA to improve the availability and quality of alcohol treatment responses for young people We have set up an Innovation Fund that is currently funding 4 YP projects

19. Learning and workforce development We are currently planning a number of learning events that will focus on practice issues that you have identified as important/of interest

20. “Alcohol is one of the leading causes of health problems in the South West and contributes to an unprecedented number of hospital admissions every year. It represents one of the biggest public health challenges for the future and will only be successfully addressed through partnership action. I urge local Primary Care Trust to work with statutory, community and voluntary partners to reduce the harm that alcohol causes individuals, families and communities across the region.” Dr Gabriel Scally