4. Why should urgent and emergency care settings be used to tackle alcohol consumption?

The target 'at-risk' population can be reached through urgent and emergency care settings

• Large numbers of patients attend emergency care due an alcohol related illness or injury
• The prevalence of excessive alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders is higher amongst emergency patients than in the general population
• Patients who have worse health because of their socio-demographic status or deprivation, because they are from vulnerable groups or because of where they live can be reached through urgent and emergency care

Urgent and emergency care settings are well suited for the delivery of brief interventions for alcohol prevention

• Urgent and emergency care is seen as a credible source of information
• Giving brief advice can take less than five minutes
• Patients may be more receptive to advice related to the reason for their admission providing a ‘teachable moment’
• The motivation for patients to change their drinking patterns may be enhanced by their admission, particularly if the admission is alcohol related
• Addressing prevention in a consultation, even briefly, shows concern for the whole person rather than simply dealing with the presenting complaint in isolation

Delivering interventions in urgent and emergency care settings benefits the NHS, patients and society

• Reduced costs for the NHS from fewer patients requiring treatment for alcohol or alcohol-related illness and injury
• Fewer admissions/readmissions and fewer patients presenting at urgent and emergency care in future relieving pressure on staff and services
• For patients there may be improved health, prevention of ill health, improved quality of life, reduction in injuries, accidents and deaths
• For society there may be reduced days lost at work, and reduced cost to employers from employee sickness

There is substantial evidence that delivering brief interventions for alcohol in urgent and emergency care settings is effective

• One in eight people change their drinking pattern following a brief intervention.