' The data is overwhelming – in our town , we need to do things differently .'
LEADING LIGHT
When you think of Blackpool , I imagine your mind ’ s eye creates images of donkey rides across golden sands , a world-renowned tower imposing itself into every selfie and beautiful , unbroken sunshine ( it never rains here !). Not far behind all those glorious seaside images will no doubt come some sort of experience involving alcohol .
As a seaside town , with its economy firmly rooted in tourism , people flock to Blackpool to enjoy the party lifestyle . But , like so many of the people we all meet as service providers , Blackpool has a hidden alcohol problem – and it ’ s not alone .
In 2021 , there were 9,641 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK , the highest number on record – and Blackpool ’ s rate of alcoholspecific deaths is more than twice the England average , with alcoholic liver disease the cause of the vast majority . Blackpool ’ s rate of alcohol-specific hospital admissions for residents is also more than twice the England average . The data is
Blackpool ’ s new Lighthouse service is leading the town ’ s response to worrying levels of alcohol-related harm , says Tom High
overwhelming – in our town , we need to do things differently .
SPECIALIST SERVICE During the latter part of 2021 and in early 2022 , Blackpool Council ’ s public health team sought feedback from stakeholders on the commissioned alcohol treatment service , provided by Delphi Medical under the ‘ Horizon ’ service . The feedback suggested a number of improvements including shorter waiting times , more accessible treatment options and better partnerships – nothing new or revolutionary here , but useful nonetheless . What came through loud and clear , however , was that our population wanted a service that was specifically designed with alcohol users in mind . A dedicated , separate , specialist alcohol service for Blackpool .
For the rest of 2022 , Delphi as lead service providers worked with commissioners , colleagues across The Calico Group and our clients to create a new brand . Following a naming competition , voting suggested a clear winner – ‘ The Lighthouse ’.
Launched last month , The
Lighthouse will provide specialist alcohol support to the population of Blackpool , with same-day assessment and satellite clinics across the town , including GP surgeries and community spaces . Work is ongoing with partners in acute services to improve the transition from ward to community treatment and support . Later in 2023 , we will also be launching our digital selfassessment tool , allowing clients to complete the mandatory information prior to their first face-to-face interaction . This will mean that support can begin more quickly , and allow a more trauma-informed approach to gathering essential information .
ENCOURAGING RESULTS Our alcohol service has effectively been operating as a separate service – and from a separate building – to the opiate / nonopiate service since April 2022 , and has already seen some encouraging results . Our numbers in structured treatment increased by more than 30 per cent in the third quarter of last year , and we expect this to increase following our media launch campaign .
A large part of that campaign is around highlighting who our service is set up to cater for – we seem to find that our referrals come from those who are already dependant drinkers , or concerned others , who are referring out of desperation . However , in wanting to operate a more preventionfocused offer – supporting people who are concerned about their drinking and who might just want a few helpful tips or strategies to reduce their intake and maybe prevent dependence further down the line – we need to market ourselves to people in new ways .
ACTING ON THE DATA Separating alcohol and opiate / nonopiate services is not a new idea by any means , nor is it one that isn ’ t already operating up and down the UK . But taking responsibility and acting upon the data , listening to your client base and backing them with real enthusiasm and genuine action , is vital for a truly successful service and client relationship . While numbers and data are vital , we must never lose sight of the fact that , in our line of work , each of those numbers are the tip of a substantial ‘ treatment needs ’ iceberg . Our services also need to cater for the ripples that flow from each of those people who access our service and this will be another focus area in the coming months .
We ’ ve achieved a lot in a short space of time . There ’ s still an awful long way to go , but I hope that now , when some people think of Blackpool , they ’ ll also think of its Lighthouse , established 2023 .
Tom High is Horizon service manager
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8 • DRINK AND DRUGS NEWS • FEBRUARY 2023 WWW . DRINKANDDRUGSNEWS . COM