HEALTH SERVICE Executive South has launched a new training programme for emergency department staff at Cork University Hospital to help them raise the issue of alcohol use with those admitted to the emergency department with alcohol-related injury or illness.
Alcohol use and abuse has a significant impact on emergency departments in Irish hospitals which have seen alcohol-related hospital admissions increase by 88 per cent between 1995 and 2004, according to Linda Hogan of the Health Promotion Department of HSE South.
A Health Research Board report showed that alcohol consumption in the Irish population has increased by 17 per cent over the past 11 years, from 11.5 litres per adult in 1995 to 13.4 litres in 2006 - well above the EU average, she said.
This rise in consumption has led to increases in alcohol-related harm and disease, putting increasing pressure on health and hospital services, Ms Hogan said, speaking at the launch of the alcohol awareness training programme for emergency department staff.
Developed by the HSE South's Emergency Department, Liaison Psychiatry and Health Promotion staff, the new course, Alcohol and the Emergency Department, includes a specially produced DVD, associated posters and a booklet.
Paula Bradshaw, a clinical nurse manager in the hospital's emergency department, said the DVD outlines several approaches which staff can use when raising the issue of alcohol with patients.
"An average of 28 per cent of the visits to hospital A&E units are alcohol related. This training resource will help equip staff working in emergency departments to support people in an appropriate manner around the issue of alcohol use and abuse.
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