1 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Working with children’s emergency departments around drug and alcohol related admissions Nina Crofts & Jessica Thompson

2 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Introduction Compass Young Peoples Service’s National Picture Local Picture- Nottingham Barriers- Group Exercise QMC Pilot Moving forward

3 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Compass Young Peoples Services Targeted intervention in the community including drop in’s and group projects Specialist Harm reduction Establishing ‘link workers’ who build relationships with key partner agencies – CAHMS, YOT, SS Work in partnership with Connexions to provide employment, education and training Services receive little or no referrals from emergency departments across the country

4 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles National Picture Alcohol consumption for under 18’s remains a significant problem for the UK 630, year olds are drinking twice or more per week Alcohol contributes to 5% of young people’s deaths. 1.4% more than the adult population Between alcohol related hospital admissions for under 18 increased by 32% The cost of underage alcohol consumption on the health service is in the region of 19 million pounds per annum ‘Alcohol Concern Youth Policy report- Right time Right Place’

5 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Local Picture - Nottingham Lack of available data Nationally means that both the scale of alcohol related admissions is going unrecorded and opportunities to intervene are being missed In Nottingham a data analysis of adolescent hospital admissions during the month of August showed the following:

6 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles

7 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles

8 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Compass Young Peoples service Annual Report: Data Aug-10 Referral Sources Yot17 Hostels/Homeless units1 Police1 CAMHS/Head2Head1 Self1 TOTAL11 Referrals

9 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Barriers- Group exercise Identify barriers in generating referrals from emergency departments in hospitals

10 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles QMC Pilot

11 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Alcohol and drug related admissions study One project worker attended QMC 3 Week Pilot over 3 weekends between Friday and Sunday 4 hours per evening Results Weekend 1- 3 alcohol related admissions, intoxicated Weekend 2- 2 Alcohol related admissions, information given to family member Weekend 3- 2 Alcohol related admissions, both intoxicated. Thursday evening 5 alcohol related admissions.

12 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Moving Forward Offer awareness sessions Clarify referral pathways to ward staff during team meetings, shift change Introduce permission cards for staff to use Introduce the idea of a YP worker to be available at seasonal times within emergency department Have a SPOC for ward staff to refer to or consult with Promote YP substance misuse services through visual displays both in emergency departments and wards Provide ongoing feedback to hospital staff on how treatment is reducing repeat admissions Ensure adequate literature on drugs and alcohol is available

13 Helping drug users to move away from problem drug use and into healthier and safer lifestyles Any Questions???