Alcohol and drug research

Type: Programme of research

Area: Alcohol withdrawal

Funder: National Institute for Health and Care Research

This three-year programme of research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research (HS&DR Ref: NIHR152084) will examine the clinical and cost effectiveness of ACTs to inform the future commissioning of these services.

The ProACTIVE team is a consortium of public collaborators and experienced researchers drawn from the universities of Hull, Southampton, Keele, Kent, Sheffield, Newcastle, King’s College London and South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

The ProACTIVE research programme is a multi-disciplinary, integrated, mixed-methods study designed to evaluate the impact of ACTs at macro (policy), meso (health system) and micro (patient) level. It will categorise models of ACT, define the components which best support the identification, and cost-effective management of hospitalised adults with AD.

Further information can be found here.

Alcohol-related hospital admissions continue to rise, with estimates that 10% of patients admitted to acute hospitals may be alcohol dependent (AD). Yet, there remains considerable variation in provision of Alcohol Care Teams (ACTs) in England, and a limited evidence base for understanding their clinical effectiveness.

This three-year programme of research commissioned by the National Institute for Health Research (HS&DR Ref: NIHR152084) will examine the clinical and cost effectiveness of ACTs to inform the future commissioning of these services.

The ProACTIVE team is a consortium of public collaborators and experienced researchers drawn from the universities of Hull, Southampton, Keele, Kent, Sheffield, Newcastle, King’s College London and South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

The ProACTIVE research programme is a multi-disciplinary, integrated, mixed-methods study designed to evaluate the impact of ACTs at macro (policy), meso (health system) and micro (patient) level. It will categorise models of ACT, define the components which best support the identification, and cost-effective management of hospitalised adults with AD.

By identifying the characteristics and care needs of patients who may benefit from ACTs, and by highlighting the components of those ACTs which have proven most successful in supporting adults with alcohol dependence, we hope to provide much-needed information to policymakers and inform clinical best practice. This will help improve ACTs and the services they offer to alcohol-dependent patients.

• Determine the spectrum of characteristics and care needs of patients who may benefit from ACTs.

• Identify the components and resource implications of clinical- and cost-effective models of ACTs across England, which best support the identification, and management of hospitalised adults with alcohol dependence.

• Work with Stakeholders to co-produce and ensure rapid dissemination of outputs to inform macro and meso level policy decisions, clinical best practice, and future research priorities.

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). 

Prof Thomas Phillips  Joint Chief Investigator, University of Hull

Dr Philippa Case  Research Fellow & Trial Coordinator, University of Hull

Maddie Wilkinson  Research Assistant, University of Hull

Prof Judith Cohen  Co-investigator, University of Hull

Dr Seilin Uhm Research Fellow, University of Southampton

Georgia Foote Research Assistant, University of Southampton

Mel King PPI Coordinator, University of Southampton

Dr Krysia Cavinn Co-investigator, Keele University

Prof Simon Coulton Co-investigator, University of Kent

Prof Julia Sinclair Joint Chief Investigator, University of Southampton

Tracy Pellatt-Higgins Statistician, University of Kent

Prof Colin Drummond Co-investigator, King's College London

Prof Amy O'Donnell Co-investigator, Newcastle University

Prof Eileen Kaner Co-investigator, Newcastle University

Colin Angus Co-investigator, University of Sheffield

Dr Robert Pryce Co-investigator, University of Sheffield

Dr Nicky Kalk Co-investigator, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Steven Masson Consultant in Liver Diseases and Transplant Medicine, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals

Type: Multi-method: Clinical audit and qualitative evaluation study

Area: Alcohol interventions

Funder: NIHR: Mental Health Implementation Network

A small group of high impact service users with alcohol dependence and comorbid problems disproportionately account for the greatest use of hospital services. This study aims to evaluate integrated and intensive models of support which prioritise engagement before specific alcohol treatment goals.

Privacy notice

Previous studies have demonstrated that the clinical needs amongst a small group of high impact service users with alcohol dependence and comorbid problems, who disproportionately account for the greatest use of hospital services, are best served by integrated and intensive models of support which prioritise engagement before specific alcohol treatment goals. The model of an Alcohol Assertive Outreach Treatment Team (AAOT) has been used effectively to improve access to high standards of evidence-based care to high impact service users.

In line with Priority 3 of Hull City Council’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025), an AAOT service has been commissioned and is being delivered by ReNew, Change Grow Live (CGL) in Hull, the existing provider of specialist alcohol services across Hull City Council.

The University of Hull has received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Implementation Network to evaluate the implementation of this new service.

This multi method evaluation will include:

1. A clinical audit, which will examine the characteristics of the service users engaged and treated by the Hull AAOT Team, assess the impact of the service on clinical measures and hospital admissions and assess the service’s fidelity to the high-quality model of AAOT established in the existing evidence.
2. A qualitative study involving interviews and focus groups with service users under the AAOT Team, AAOT Team staff members, and key stakeholders. The quality study will use the theoretical lens of Proctor et al.’s implementation outcomes through which to explore the acceptability, feasibility, and impact of implementing AAOT and fidelity to the high-quality model of AAOT.

Study 1: Clinical audit

To examine the characteristics of the service users being engaged and treated by the Hull Alcohol Assertive Outreach Team and assess the impact of the service on clinical measures and hospital admissions and attendances at 3- and 6-months.

Study 2: Qualitative evaluation

To explore the acceptability, feasibility, and impact of implementing AAOT and fidelity to the high-quality model of AAOT from the perspectives of relevant regional stakeholders including service users, AAOT practitioners and clinicians, and health and care providers and commissioners.

It is hoped that the research will help guide the implementation of alcohol assertive outreach treatment in other organisations, and that the wider implementation of these services will contribute to improved care for people experiencing alcohol dependence.

The project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Mental Health Implementation Network and sponsored by the University of Hull.

University of Hull

Professor Thomas Phillips, Professor of Nursing (Addictions), Faculty of Health Sciences

Dr Philippa Case, Research Fellow, Faculty of Health Sciences

Professor Judith Cohen, Director, Hull Health Trials Unit

Laura Hermann, Research Assistant, Faculty of Health Sciences

Collaborative partners

Dr Lucy Chiddick, ICB

Dr Lynsey Corless, Hull Hospitals NHS Trust

Dr Maciej Danilewicz, ReNew Change Grow Live (CGL)

Diane Hilton, ReNew Change Grow Live (CGL)

Luke Ingamells, ReNew Change Grow Live (CGL)

Michelle Heath, Hull City Council

Gilda Nunez, Hull City Council

Phil Wray, Hull City Council

Dr Liz Newbronner, Applied Research Collaboration Yorkshire & Humber

Type: Systematic Review

Area: Alcohol brief interventions

Funder: Institute of Alcohol Studies

In England, at-risk drinking is most prevalent amongst older age groups, and more than a quarter of adults aged over 60 experience subjective or objective cognitive decline. Drinking above recommended limits (over 14 units per week) is linked to cognitive impairments and increased risk of dementia but there is limited evidence about how to support older adults with cognitive decline to reduce their alcohol consumption.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends screening for at-risk alcohol consumption and offering brief interventions within a range of health and social care settings; however, adults experiencing cognitive decline present specific challenges when addressing at-risk alcohol consumption, including issues with recall, retention of information and difficulties with abstraction. Modifications may therefore be required for brief interventions to be effective in this population. At present, no guidance is available regarding screening and brief interventions that meet the needs of people with cognitive decline.

This systematic review aims to:

1. Identify and collate evidence regarding the components of alcohol brief interventions that have been modified to meet the needs of older adults experiencing cognitive decline.
2. Establish what the existing evidence reveals regarding the effectiveness of alcohol brief interventions modified for older adults experiencing cognitive decline.

The project is funded by the Intitute of Alcohol Studies.

University of Hull

Dr Philippa Case, Research Fellow, Faculty of Health Sciences (Chief Investigator)

University of Kent

Professor Lindsay Forbes, Clinical Professor of Public Health

Myles Godfrey, Research Assistant

Type: Observational study, qualitative study

Area: Alcohol dependence in emergency departments

Funder: Police & Crime Commissioner/ NIHR CRN

NIHR Portfolio: CPMS ID 44867

IRAS Number: 275280

Alcohol dependence is a treatable condition that affects communities and families and is linked to over 200 mental health and medical conditions, accidents and violent/non-violent injuries. Consequently, alcohol use disorders are commonly identified within emergency departments (ED) and subsequent hospital admissions. Access to alcohol treatment may also influence ED attendance.

This research will explore how the short alcohol screening tests can be used in the emergency departments (ED) to accurately identify those in need of treatment. An additional study will utilise qualitative methodologies among clinical staff to identify strategies for the implementation of short alcohol screening tools within local emergency departments and identify care pathways for ED attenders experiencing alcohol dependence.

All adult (≥ 18years) ED attenders clinically cleared by ED Staff will be approached to participate in the study by trained researchers over each 24-hour period for two weeks.

Participants will be asked to complete the following questionnaires:

• We will ask for information related to method and reason for attendance, demographic information (e.g. age, gender, etc.), and information on their use of hospital and social services over the last 12 months
• We will ask questions to identify alcohol use disorders (AUD) (i.e. harmful drinking and alcohol dependence) using the validated the 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) and 4-item FAST questionnaires
• Those who report consuming alcohol will be asked to complete the 8-item Home Drinking Assessment Scale (HDAS)

Those presenting following violent incidents/assaults will be asked about the place, time of the incident and nature/severity of injuries.

Consent to access their ED patient record for their related attendance will be requested in order to obtain the ED clinician’s diagnosis and discharge code. Statistical analysis will assess the accuracy of the FAST and AUDIT-C in identifying AUD amongst adult emergency department attendees. Those ED attendees with an AUD and presenting following violent incidents/assaults will be characterised. Those identified as being alcohol dependent will be advised to access their local specialist service. All participants will receive a voucher thanking them for their participation in the study.

The qualitative study will recruit clinical staff from four clinical settings based within local acute hospitals and specialist alcohol services to examine the clinical barriers and facilitating factors of access to treatment for alcohol dependent ED attenders.

The results of the study will inform the development of care pathways for people who experience alcohol dependence across Hull, East Riding, and North East and North Lincolnshire who are admitted to hospital or require direct access to specialist community treatment. Data relating to violent incidents and assaults will inform policing and licensing strategies in the locality.

The project is funded by The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) for Yorkshire and The Humber and sponsored by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

University of Hull

Professor Thomas Phillips, Professor of Nursing (Addictions), Faculty of Health Sciences

Dr Judith Cohen, Director, Hull Health Trials Unit

Dr Maureen Twiddy, Senior Lecturer in Mixed Methods Research

Professor Iain Brennan, Professor in Criminology, Faculty of Arts, Cultures and Education

Bronwen Williams, Trial Manager, Hull Health Trials Unit

Laura Hermann, Research Assistant, ICAHR, Faculty of Health Sciences

University of Kent

Professor Simon Coulton, Professor of Health Service Research, Centre for Health Service Research

King's College London

Professor Colin Drummond, Professor of Addiction Psychiatry

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Dr Fraser Young, Consultant in Emergency Medicine

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Contact

Chief Investigator: Professor Thomas Phillips, ICAHR, University of Hull
FASTer@hull.ac.uk

Type: National cross-sectional survey

Area: Alcohol use disorders

Funder: University of Hull, King’s College London, University of Kent

The outbreak of coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19 pandemic) has resulted in significant social restrictions from 23rd March 2020 in an attempt to reduce transmission. It is widely accepted that harmful and alcohol-dependent drinkers are susceptible to lung diseases including pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which are among the severe complications of COVID-19.

Public health messages have focussed on the avoidance and reduction of alcohol use as well as supporting changes in healthcare services to reduce community transmission of COVID-19. This study led by Prof Thomas Phillips, the University of Hull in collaboration with King’s College London and the University of Kent will examine the impact of these measures on adult harmful and dependent drinkers living in the UK, including the impact on treatment provision and help-seeking opportunities.

All adults (≥18years) who have consumed alcohol in the last 12 months, living in the UK and who experience harmful drinking or alcohol dependence will be eligible to participate in a confidential online survey. Eligible participants will be asked to complete information related to; i) demographics, ii) use of alcohol and help-seeking before the lockdown iii) motivation to change drinking and quit attempts since the lockdown (including their experience of specialist services, if applicable), iv) the impact of restrictions on finances, alcohol, smoking, vaping, cannabis use, medications, and exercise and, v) COVID-19 symptoms. Those participating will be offered entry into a prize draw for one of three computer tablets (iPads). The primary aim will explore changes in alcohol consumption among those with harmful drinking or alcohol dependence since the implementation of social restrictions. A detailed exploratory analysis will be undertaken and where possible weighted using data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey and National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS).

Harmful and alcohol-dependent drinkers are a vulnerable group at risk of severe manifestations of COVID-19. This study will help to assess the impact of social restrictions on this group and inform future policy responses.

University of Hull

King’s College London

University of Kent

University of Hull

Professor Thomas Phillips Professor of Nursing (Addictions), Faculty of Health Sciences

Dr Judith Cohen, Director, Hull Health Trials Unit

John Turgoose, Hull Health Trials Unit

Sarah Sumpter, Hull Health Trials Unit

University of Kent

Professor Simon Coulton, Professor of Health Service Research, Centre for Health Service Research

King’s College London

Professor Colin Drummond, Professor of Addiction Psychiatry

Dr Paolo Deluca, Reader in Addiction

Dr Andreas Kimergard, Research Fellow

Contact

Chief Investigator: Professor Thomas Philips, ICAHR, University of Hull

SACCOStudy@hull.ac.uk

Type: Cross-sectional study using hospital episode statistics

Area: Alcohol Withdrawal

Funder: University of Hull, University of Kent

Recent research conducted outside the UK has identified hospital readmission rates following alcohol withdrawal are linked to discharges against medical advice and the complexity of the patients. Furthermore, incomplete programmes of care during hospital care may influence a premature return to excessive drinking on discharge and subsequent readmission. This study aims to examine routine hospital data to examine characteristics and predictors of alcohol withdrawal readmissions and emergency department attendances in England by linking Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) Admitted Patient Care data sets with HES Accident & Emergency data sets for 2017/18 (NHS Data Access Request Service (DARS) Reference: DARS-NIC-226185-B6C2J)

Related research

• Phillips, T., Coulton, S., & Drummond, C. (2019). Burden of alcohol disorders on emergency department attendances and hospital admissions in England. Alcohol and Alcoholism

Outputs

• Coleman, R., Coulton, S. and Phillips, T. 2021. Using Hospital Episode Statistics to explore comorbidities in primary alcohol withdrawal admissions to acute hospitals in England. Society for the Study of Addiction PhD Symposium, 3 November, UK.
• Coleman, R., Coulton, S. and Phillips, T. 2021. Using Hospital Episode Statistics to explore comorbidities in primary alcohol withdrawal admissions to acute hospitals in England. Society for the Study of Addiction Annual Conference Poster Presentation, 5 November, UK.

The results will provide valuable evidence to inform the development of Alcohol Care Teams prioritised under the NHS Long-Term Plan. The findings will also inform the development of future research to address readmission rates in patients experiencing alcohol dependence and alcohol withdrawal.

University of Hull

Prof Thomas Phillips, Principal Investigator & Professor of Nursing (Addictions), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull.

Dr Ireneous Soyiri, Senior Lecturer (Epidemiology), Faculty of Health Sciences/Hull York Medical School, University of Hull

Prof Simon Coulton, Professor of Health Service Research, Centre for Health Service Research, University of Kent

Rachel Coleman, Research Assistant, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull

Contact

Prof Thomas Phillips, 01482 464396, Thomas.Phillips@hull.ac.uk

Type: Consensus Study

Area: Alcohol Use Disorders in Secondary Care

Funder: NHS England & Improvement

The NHS Long Team Plan (2019) has recognised the need to extend the provision of Alcohol Care Teams (ACTs) with the specific intention of improving the quality of alcohol-related care resulting in reductions in occupied bed days, readmissions, emergency department (ED) attendances and ambulance callouts. Over the next five years hospitals with the highest rate of alcohol dependence-related admissions will be supported to establish ACTs. This improvement of services will require additional staff with appropriate alcohol specialist competencies. Currently, there is no widely accessible training available specifically for alcohol specialist skills for secondary care clinicians.

The Institute for Clinical and Applied Health Research, together with the University of Southampton and the Royal College of Psychiatrists are supporting NHS England & Improvement and Public Health England to develop clinical competencies for secondary care alcohol specialist roles. This work is seen as a vital step in developing efficient learning and the development of resources to train the additional staff required. for the widespread service improvement of ACTs recommended in the NHS Long Term plan.

Outputs

Thomas Phillips, Amy Porter, Julia Sinclair, Clinical Competencies for the Care of Hospitalized Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders, Alcohol and Alcoholism, Volume 55, Issue 4, July 2020, Pages 395–400.

We have recruited an expert panel of clinicians to participate in a Delphi study to develop interdisciplinary consensus on the competencies that alcohol care teams require to identify, assess, engage and manage patients who experience alcohol-related hospital admissions and ED attendances.

This project is funded by NHS England & Improvement and supported by Public Health England and Royal College of Psychiatrists.

University of Hull

Professor Thomas Phillips, Project Lead, Professor of Nursing (Addictions) and Co-opted Member of the Faculty of Addictions, Royal College of Psychiatrists

Amy Porter, Project Co-ordinator, Hull Health Trials Unit

University of Southampton

Professor Julia Sinclair, Project Director and Professor of Addiction Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Chair: Faculty of Addictions, Royal College of Psychiatrists

Contact

Professor Thomas Phillips,
01482 464396, Thomas.Phillips@hull.ac.uk

Type: PhD studentships

Area: Life course of alcohol use disorders

Funder: Alumni, University of Hull

In England, 10 million people drink at levels that increase their risk of harm, with 600,000 in need of treatment for alcohol use disorders. Although overall alcohol consumption has declined in recent years, many indicators of alcohol-related harms have increased. With excessive alcohol consumption causally linked to over 200 health conditions there are now over 1 million alcohol-related hospital admissions and an increasing trend in alcohol-specific deaths. The harms and consequences of excessive drinking disproportionately affect socio-economically deprived communities, which suffer greater alcohol-related mortality and morbidity. Empirically, physical activity has significant health benefits and has been shown to improve health outcomes in numerous conditions. However, there is limited understanding of the impact of physical activity on individuals who drink alcohol excessively who are already at risk of harm to their health.

Communities in the local area specifically face greater prevalence of alcohol disorders, and increasing alcohol-related admissions, alcoholic liver disease, alcohol-related cardiovascular disease and related mortality. Interventions designed to reduce alcohol-related harm have largely focussed on brief interventions and psychosocial treatments; however, the impact of brief interventions is limited, and four out of five people in need fail to access treatment. There is, therefore, a need to develop interventions with greater efficacy, uptake and long-term benefits.

Based in the Institute for Clinical and Applied Health Research (ICAHR) this programme of research comprises of three PhD studentships awarded to Lady Gwendoline Akwa, Buse Apel and Saphsa Codling who will develop an understanding of the relationships between excessive alcohol consumption and physical activity in reducing harms.

Outputs

• Codling S, Phillips T, Martin, C.R., Huang C, Smith, L. Associations between physical activity and risk of alcohol-related harm in early to mid-adolescence: Secondary data analysis using the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Kettil Bruun Conference (31st May to 4th June 2021).
• Codling, S., Phillips, T. S., Martin, C. R., & Smith, L. (2021, February 27). Association between physical activity and alcohol consumption in early to mid-adolescence (11-17 years).
• Akwa, L. G., Twiddy, M., Abt, G. and Smith, L. 2021. Association between physical activity and alcohol consumption in adults: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of longitudinal studies. Society for the Study of Addiction PhD Symposium, 3 November, UK.
• Apel, B., Cohen, J., Abt. G., & Phillips, T. (2021) The impact of physical activity on the recovery from alcohol dependence: A systematic review. PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021232904

Alumni Office, University of Hull.

PhD Scholarships

Lady Gwendoline Akwa
Development of a lifestyle physical activity intervention for women who misuse alcohol
Prof Lesley Smith, Dr Grant Abt, Dr Maureen Twiddy

Buse Apel
Exploring the Role of Physical Activity in the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence
Prof Thomas Phillips, Dr Judith Cohen, and Dr Grant Abt

Saphsa Codling
Alcohol and Physical Activity PhD Scholarship: Elucidating the relationships between physical activity and risk of alcohol-related harm/consumption using social determinants of health in early to mid-adolescence
Prof Lesley Smith, Prof Thomas Phillips and Prof Colin Martin

Supervisors

Professor Thomas Phillips, Research Cluster Lead, Professor of Nursing (Addictions), Faculty of Health Sciences

Professor Lesley Smith, Professor of Women's Public Health

Dr Judith Cohen, Director, Hull Health Trials Unit

Dr Grant Abt, Reader (Associate Professor) in Sport and Exercise Physiology

Dr Maureen Twiddy, Senior Lecturer in Mixed Methods Research

Contact

Professor Thomas Phillips, Research Cluster Lead
01482 464396, Thomas.Phillips@hull.ac.uk

Type: RCT

Area: Opioid treatment

Funder: Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust and Academic Health Science Network

Opioid substitution treatment (OST) with methadone or buprenorphine is an effective intervention for reducing deaths and reducing heroin use. UK guidelines recommended that patients prescribed OST have an addictions prescriber consultation every 12 weeks for a holistic assessment and medication safety reasons. We are undertaking a randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility of telemedicine in addictions (ISRCTN36756455).

Nonattendance at addiction prescriber consultation appointments is high and worsens patient outcomes. Telemedicine has been shown to improve attendance for some medical specialities and may be an intervention that could improve attendance rates in addictions.

Outputs

This feasibility study will compare telemedicine consultations with an addiction prescriber against standard face-to-face consultations, to assess clinical attendances rates. Secondary outcomes assess patient and staff satisfaction with telemedicine consultations, travel distances and transport costs.

This study is funded by Academic Health Science Network for Yorkshire and Humber and the East Riding Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust sponsor this project.

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Soraya Mayet, Principal Investigator (PI) Consultant Psychiatrist - Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust & Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer - Hull and York Medical School

Dr Iain McCaw, Higher Trainee Psychiatry - Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust & Research coordinator

University of Hull

Professor Thomas Phillips, Professor of Nursing (Addictions), Faculty of Health Sciences

Dr Chao Huang, Senior Lecturer in Statistics, Faculty of Health Sciences

John Turgoose, Hull Health Trials Unit

Researchers

Ms Emma Welsh, Hull and York Medical School

Dr Zeeshan Hashmani, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Zuzana Drozdova, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Contact

Dr Soraya Mayet (PI) Consultant Psychiatrist - Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust & Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer - Hull and York Medical School smayet@nhs.net

Professor Thomas Phillips, University of Hull 01482 464396, Thomas.Phillips@hull.ac.uk

Type: PhD Scholarship

Area: Alcohol withdrawal

Funder: Study for the Society of Addiction (SSA)

This study complements existing work conducted at The University of Hull exploring HES Data and the impact of length of stay on alcohol withdrawal hospital admissions and emergency department attendances. Both studies will use linked HES Admitted Patient Care and Accident & Emergency datasets for 2017/2018 (NHS Data Access Request Service (DARS) Reference: DARS-NIC-226185-B6C2J). The NHS England Long-Term Plan has identified Alcohol Care Teams and their development as a strategic priority. This body of research will contribute to this strategy development and understanding of best practice for caring for complex individuals who are experiencing alcohol withdrawal when admitted to hospital.

Privacy Notice

Modelling risk of alcohol withdrawal (AW) in the acute hospital setting using Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) Data

Provision of specialist inpatient services for alcohol withdrawal is reducing, and a concomitant increase or shift in burden has been seen in the hospital setting. This exerts a disproportionate burden on the NHS, requiring staff outside of specialist alcohol services to care for complex individuals. In order to support acute medical staff to care for individuals experiencing alcohol withdrawal, it is important to determine predictors of alcohol withdrawal in the hospital setting. This will allow for modelling of risk and, most importantly, identification of patients in advance who are particularly at risk of experiencing alcohol withdrawal.

Outputs

• Coleman, R., Phillips, T., and Coulton, S. (2021) A narrative systematic review exploring identification of alcohol withdrawal in acute general hospital settings. PROSPERO

Related Research

• Phillips, T., Coulton, S. and Drummond, C., 2019. Burden of alcohol disorders on emergency department attendances and hospital admissions in England. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 54(5), pp.516-524.
• Phillips, T., Huang, C., Roberts, E. and Drummond, C., 2020. Specialist alcohol inpatient treatment admissions and non-specialist hospital admissions for alcohol withdrawal in England: an inverse relationship. Alcohol and Alcoholism.
• Phillips, T., Porter, A. and Sinclair, J., 2020. Clinical Competencies for the Care of Hospitalized Patients with Alcohol Use Disorders. Alcohol and Alcoholism.

This study aims to use routine NHS hospital admission and emergency department data for 2017/18 to model risk of alcohol withdrawal by exploring demographic and clinical predictors within the dataset. A prognostic model will then be developed to allow the generation of a risk score for patients on admission to the hospital setting.

This study is funded as part of a Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA) PhD Scholarship awarded to Rachel Coleman (PhD Student and Honorary Research Associate). Professor Thomas Phillips (University of Hull) is the Primary Supervisor and Professor Simon Coulton (University of Kent) is the Secondary Supervisor.

Ms Rachel Coleman, Principal Investigator, SSA funded PhD Student & Honorary Research Associate

Prof Thomas Phillips, Primary PhD Supervisor & Professor of Nursing (Addictions), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull

Prof Simon Coulton, Secondary PhD Supervisor & Professor of Health Service Research, Centre for Health Service Research, University of Kent

Contact

Ms Rachel Coleman, r.coleman-2020@hull.ac.uk