This is a free online educational workshop aimed at people who use drugs and/or alcohol problematically, nurses, researchers and all other heathcare workers who have an interest in the addictions field.
There will be three presentations of roughly 40-45 minutes with some time for Q&A afterwards. Registrants will be sent the link to access the speakers in advance of the event. Please ensure your computers or smartphones will allow you to access Microsoft Teams.
Please enjoy the event!
Speaker 1 Bio:
Dr. Andrea Mohan
Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences at the University of Dundee and public health researcher.
She has worked on research projects that focused on alcohol policy such as drink-driving and alcohol licensing, and on the lived experiences of people with alcohol and drug problems. She is the Vice President of the International Confederation of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) Research Associations (ICARA), an international, nongovernmental, multidisciplinary and civil society organization bringing together ATOD societies to promote, support and enhance ATOD science locally and globally.
Abstract
People from the most deprived areas in Scotland experience greater inequalities in harms caused by alcohol. A recent qualitative study explored the experiences of service users and staff of a specialist alcohol service in Glasgow, the Primary Care Alcohol Nurse Outreach Service (PCANOS). The service employed addiction nurses (ANs) who supported patients referred from Deep End practices (those serving the most 100 deprived areas in Scotland) who did not engage with other alcohol services. ANs used a person-centred approach and provided a range of interventions including detoxes and behavioural counselling; these were conducted in patients’ homes, providing flexibility, a safe environment and reducing feelings of stigma and isolation. Patients reported a reduction in their alcohol intake, improved health and wellbeing and improved relationships with their families as a result of engaging with PCANOS. ANs worked collaboratively with practice staff and coordinate the patients’ care, making sure that patients were supported to navigate through the healthcare system. PCANOS addresses an important gap in service provision by supporting individuals from deprived areas with alcohol problems. Other areas where this unmet need exists may benefit from PCANOS. Andrea will co-present this model with one of the nurse leaders from the PCANOS project.
Speaker 2 Bio:
Dr Rob Calder
Head of communications, Society for the Study of Addictions [SSA]
Rob’s research has focused on how best to use online resources to disseminate research findings and on how to improve the use of evidence-based practice in addiction treatment settings. He has also worked on research into vaping in England, and primary care interventions for homeless people. Rob joined the SSA as Deputy Web-Editor in November 2019 and started as the SSA’s Head of Communications in April 2022.
Abstract
The Society for the Study of Addiction SSA aims is to increase the scientific understanding of addiction. It supports research and early career researchers to develop the evidence base. It also works to improve science communication in the sector by helping to build capacity for researchers to communicate their findings more effectively. Rob Calder and will talk about the challenges of communicating the evidence base effectively in the complex field of addiction. The model of “top-down” dissemination is largely inappropriate for current treatment provision, yet remains the default approach for many. There are many issues facing addiction treatment delivery and novel forms of science communication have the potential to improve both treatment and research. This talk will discuss these opportunities and cover some of the main barriers to progress. Rob will also discuss the role that clinical staff can play in improving how policy, research and practice share knowledge and information.
Speaker 3 Bio:
Adrian Brown
Alcohol Liaison Nurse
Adrian has over 20 years experience working in general hospital settings, providing assessment and treatment support for nursing and medical staff dealing with patients with alcohol and other substance misuse issues. He has now carried out this role from within 3 very different organisations. Since February 2014, he is working as an alcohol nurse specialist within the psychiatric liaison teams at Central Middlesex and Northwick Park Hospitals. These teams are part of the Psychological Medicine service line within CNWL NHS Trust. Adrian developed an alcohol care bundle with Acute Trust colleagues, which has been recognized by the NICE Shared Learning awards 2019. Adrian has also been involved in developing a substance use screening form for mental health services, also recognised by NICE. Adrian has held previous roles as a leader of an alcohol and drugs liaison team at St George’s Hospital, Tooting. From 1998 to 2010, Adrian worked at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, home of the PAT (Paddington Alcohol Test). In this role Adrian helped to develop a role providing both specialist substance misuse nursing input for the hospital and brief advice/brief interventions (IBA) as highlighted by NICE Guidelines, the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Nursing and the Department of Health. Until 2019 Adrian was chair of the Alcohol Care Teams forum hosted by Public Health England.
Abstract:
Adrian will present on some of his work to date and will focus on what can be done with limited resources and what a gold-standard Alcohol care team looks like. Adrian will also outline simple protocols to help our colleagues to manage complications caused by alcohol use, and how to identify key champions in the hospital.
