Launch of a Nursing Council on Alcohol

Three-hundred UK nurses attended the Nursing Council on Alcohol launch conference where national and international nurse leaders emphasised the importance of the identification of harmful alcohol use, and why nurses should be offering brief interventions to patients drinking at harmful levels.

Deputies representing the Chief Nursing Officers (CNO's) for Scotland, England and Northern Ireland attended. Video messages of support were relayed from Sarah Mullally, CNO England, and Professor Oliver D'A Slevin, Chairman of the National Board Northern Ireland along with written messages from The Baroness Flather JP DL, Chairman of AERC and Ms Anne Jarvie CNO, Scotland. The Prime Minister faxed a message offering support, and encouraging the initiative:

"I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the establishment of the Nursing Council on AlcoholNurses have a crucial role to play in promoting sensible drinking and your organisation will help to ensure they make the fullest possible contribution to this goal"

What will the Council Do

The Nursing Council on Alcohol will:

• Establish a network of individuals with particular knowledge of, and interest in alcohol problems that can contribute to the work of the council within their spheres of expertise.

• Arrange symposia, education, and training programmes for dissemination of information about prevention, treatment and after care of the individual drinking harmfully.

• Publish regular Newsletters, sponsor and commission the publication of journals, books and papers relating to problem drinking.

• Develop and maintain a web site.

• Develop and maintain a library/resource facility.

• Initiate, co-ordinate and give advice and guidance on research projects.

• Stimulate nursing education and training on the subject of problem drinking, its prevention, treatment and after-care.

• Act as a consultative body for organisations and individuals on the nursing aspects of alcohol related health problems.

• Develop affiliation and joint working relationships with appropriate organisations.

• Take our membership of organisation, and support initiatives from other organisations, whose activities and interests are compatible with the aims of the Council.

• Consult the membership.

• Seek discounts and favourable terms for conferences and publications for members.

The Councils steering committee is directing its energies towards raising awareness, and providing advice and information, to the nursing profession. The theory is that raised awareness of harmful alcohol use will lead to the early identification and the consequential provision of adequate and appropriate intervention at the entrance point to nursing care.

The Council aims to register as a charity with an elected management committee.

The management committee, formed from an equal number of elected representatives from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will be responsible for taking forward the aims and objectives of the council within their own country. Eventually, a network of local and regional advisors will be introduced.

The Glasgow Caledonian University based head office will eventually house the management committee and subcommittee(s). This will be a centre of excellence offering information and guidance to anyone. AGM's will move round the country. A structure will be introduced to allow for an open approach to communication and dispersal of information in a free and continuous, unobstructed flow, jargon free and easily accessible leading to a transparent body and building membership trust and participation.

Whilst the Councils primary function is nursing related, membership will be open to all registered nurses, students, corporate services; and associate membership being available to other professions.

Current Activities

Since the November 2000 launch, the Councils has been overwhelmed with offers of support and encouragement, as well as, requests for information, advice, education and writing, a briefing request from a Scottish MP, and a consultation document from the Scottish Health Executive. England, Northern Ireland and Wales have received similar information and guidance request.

The constitution is currently under preparation and will be circulated to members. Once final membership approval is gained application for charity status to commence and steps taken to bring about the Councils first democratic, membership elected management committee.

The Council and Alcohol Concern are working together to develop guidelines for practice nurses, in relation to the identification of harmful alcohol use. The guidelines will go out for consultation in July 2001, and be published in time for Alcohol Concerns AGM in October, and the Councils November conference.

The Council in partnership with Alcohol Concern have launched a nurses Internet bulletin board. The board is on Alcohol Concerns Web Site: www.alcoholconcern.org.uk In addition, negotiations are ongoing to gain a journal subscription discount, for The Drug and Alcohol Professional, a new practitioner journal for Council members.

How you can help the Council

• Become a member of the Nursing Council on Alcohol. When you join the Council, you support and fund the organisations work.

• Organise local promotional events. The Council can provide speakers to address event, or to talk to organisation you identify.

• Promote the work of the Council via local media. The Council can provide appropriate support and or material.

• Raise nurse awareness within your region or local area. The Council would like to hear from about piloting your initiative and sharing this with others through a poster presentation at the November 2001 conference.

• Do you know of an individual or organisation willing to offer financial support or sponsorship? If we are to take this initiative forward, we need to locate and secure short and long-term funding.

• Help build up the resource centre. If you have any publications, information or other resources that you would like to donate, and or you have contact with an individual or organisation that would like to make a donation, or offer equipment and office furniture, please contact the Councils Secretary.

Membership of the Nursing Council on Alcohol To find out more about the Council contact: Dr Hazel Watson Secretary Nursing Council on Alcohol Department of Nursing and Community Health Glasgow Caledonian University Cowcaddens Road Glasgow G4 0BA Tel: (+44) (0) 141 331 3457 Fax: (+44) (0) 141 331 8312 E-mail: NCA.UK@btinternet.com