What are Alcohol Care Teams – and why are they vital for hospitals?
Professor Julia Sinclair – University of Southampton
Arlene Copland – Alcohol Nurse Consultant
On this month's podcast we spoke to Professor Julia Sinclair and Arlene Copland about Alcohol Care Teams – the small but vital hospital teams supporting patients with complex alcohol problems. They explained how ACTs not only manage alcohol withdrawal, but also build trust with vulnerable patients, advocate across departments, and link people to the wider support they need. Despite clear evidence they improve care and reduce costs, many teams now face closure as funding dries up. We also explored stigma, the misunderstanding of addiction in healthcare, and what’s needed to secure these essential services for the future. As Professor Sinclair puts it: “This is about working with some of the most vulnerable people with the greatest needs.”