20 December 2011
Tim is the Trust’s first alcohol liaison nurse specialist
Help is now available for any patients who are admitted to Broomfield Hospital with an underlying alcohol problem, thanks to the appointment of the Trust’s first alcohol liaison nurse specialist.
Tim Harden, who is a trained psychiatric nurse, has joined the Trust as part of a joint QIPP (Quality, Improvement, Productivity and Prevention) initiative with the NHS Mid Essex. Tim said: “Alcoholism alone costs the NHS £2.7 million a year and we know that alcohol consumption has doubled since the 1950’s. Therefore my role is to help those patients who are admitted to Hospital and have an underlying alcohol problem, which often isn’t obvious.”
Tim explains that treating a person’s underlying alcohol problem can prevent readmission, which benefits both the patient and NHS. He continues: “Ideally every patient who is admitted should be asked some simple questions about their alcohol intake, although I am aware that some colleagues might not find this very easy. This is where I can help as I can provide training and advice on how to approach the situation.” Assessment tools are being developed by Tim to make staff feel more comfortable when dealing with difficult situations.
ENDS
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