Media release from Health Hawke's Bay

A groundbreaking new project aimed at raising awareness of the wider problems caused by high levels of alcohol use has been launched across Hawke's Bay's general practice community. 

Health Hawke's Bay - Te Oranga Hawke's Bay, the region's Primary Health Organisation, has commissioned the project which supports health care professionals to better identify alcohol related issues within the wider community.

Health Hawke's Bay project manager, Sarah Mulcahy said the training is aimed at giving primary health care professionals greater confidence to screen effectively for alcohol related issues.

"Evidence shows that we can make a real difference for people with alcohol problems if they feel they can discuss their concerns in an environment they trust and get support from their doctor or nurse," she said.

The HHB initiative is a partnership with the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) and builds on a local review from the Hawke's Bay District Health Board, which identified opportunities to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.

Health Hawke's Bay chief executive Philip Grant said this was an exciting initiative and he was pleased that workshops would also be available for community groups who provide a valuable additional support service for those potentially affected by the impact of alcohol.

"The project is unique in its approach, the interactive nature of the workshops and its direct links to new IT technology for the primary and community health sector and has been adapted for Hawke's Bay based on a successful model established in the Whanganui region.

"People are surprised to learn that a shift to having alcohol free days, or cutting back to the recommended two or three drinks maximum at each drink session can have significant health benefits."

Facilitator Trish Gledhill said the training will help give practitioners the skills and framework to be able to ask patients the right questions, and the best ways to suggest how drinking can be modified.

Alcohol brief intervention is generally restricted to one or two sessions with a patient, and is designed to be conducted by health professionals who do not specialise in addiction treatment. Links to provide more specialised treatment can be provided if required.

Facilitator and psychologist Andrew Raven said anecdotal evidence was showing that health care professionals were often unaware of the extent that alcohol was causing harm in the community.

"For example, we're seeing professional women getting into a routine of having glasses of wine while they cook dinner, and not being aware of the need to modify that approach."

Mr Raven said a large range of problems such as mental or physical health, relationship breakdowns, employment, financial and legal harm are associated with alcohol misuse but have often been missed because health care professionals haven't had the training to ask patients the right questions.
Photo supplied: From Left: Andrew Raven, Sarah Mulcahy and Trish Gledhill - the team supporting the new alcohol awareness project.