Concern over high numbers of alcohol-related deaths in Wolverhampton

During 2020, the city had the worst alcohol-specific mortality rate in the UK with a rate of 29.3 per 100,000 population (equating to 70 deaths). Alcohol-specific mortality data for 2021 indicated 54 deaths had been registered.

Figures for 2022 showed that the number of alcohol-related deaths in the city was considerably higher than the averages for the West Midlands (42.9 per 100,000 population) and England (37.8 per 100,000).

In a report to the council’s Hybrid, Health and Wellbeing Together panel, principal public health specialist Michelle Smith said: “Alcohol is a legal, socially acceptable substance which is seen as an integral part of daily life and is used to celebrate, commiserate and socialise. It’s readily availability from supermarkets and off licences to sports events, cinemas, coffee shops and bars/pubs creates the impression that alcohol is a normal part of everyday life.

“In reality, alcohol can be a toxic substance that creates dependence and can cause serious health and social problems. Nationally, alcohol-specific deaths have risen sharply since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Alcohol-specific deaths only include those health conditions where each death is a direct consequence of alcohol. That is, wholly attributable causes such as alcoholic liver disease. It does not include all deaths that can be attributed to alcohol.

“Based on estimated prevalence in Wolverhampton, only one in five people who experience alcohol harm are engaged with alcohol treatment support services. This means there is an unmet need of 82 per cent in the population – almost 2,950 individuals – which equates to approximately 650 individuals in treatment for alcohol dependency,” said Ms smith.

“For those who are engaged in treatment and support, their recovery outcomes are positive. Nearly 45 per cent exit treatment successfully. Since 2015, the Wolverhampton treatment completions rate has been consistently higher than the national average. Currently, Wolverhampton is in the top quarter of performances for successful completion of alcohol treatment in the UK and the second in the West Midlands region behind Dudley.

“A matter of concern relates to the investigation of alcohol-specific mortality data from 2018-20, which shows a significant over-representation of deaths in white males (69.4 per cent) and Asian males (26.3 per cent) compared to the local population (male and female) of 60.6 per cent and 21.2 per cent respectively for2021.

“In July 2022 the local Drug and Alcohol Strategic Partnership was developed. It is a consortium of multi-agency partners working towards the mutual aim of reducing drug and alcohol harm across the city,” she added.

Priorities for the drug and alcohol partnership include:

• Improving the quality of screening activity in high-risk groups via frontline services, targeted support services, NHS health checks and general patient appointments in GP practices.

• Rolling out an extensive programme of Identification and Brief Advice (IBA) training for those working with communities most at risk.

• Improving access to high-quality treatment interventions including the development of specialist alcohol clinics in community settings and the expansion of the specialist alcohol team in secondary care.

• Launching a supported employment programme in March 2023, specifically for clients engaged in drug and alcohol treatment, building on the excellent work already being undertaken to facilitate clients into employment.

• Conducting a bespoke piece of work specifically exploring research insights in relation to high-risk communities including the South Asian population.

The council’s Hybrid, Health and Wellbeing Together committee will discuss the issue next Wednesday (January 18).