The Government has released the independentassessment of the need for alcoholtreatment across the Northern Territory.The Demand Study for Alcohol Treatment Services in the Northern Territoryreport was undertaken in response to a number of recommendations of the RileyAlcohol Review and is included in the NT Alcohol Harm Minimisation Action Plan.
The study was jointly led by MenziesSchool of Health Research (Menzies) and the University of New South Wales, inpartnership with the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT (AMSANT).
The study used a validated nationalmodelling approach to calculate the numbers of people in the population withmild, moderate and severe problems, and then matched this against statistics ofactual treatment being provided. This was complemented by a qualitative studyinvolving interviews with 86 stakeholders from across the treatment services sectorin the NT.
The study found the availability ofspecialist alcohol treatment services for those with the most severe problems islargely meeting the expected demand however more screening and briefinterventions by generalist services is required for those in the mild andmoderate categories. Major change is not required; rather a focus on systemstrengthening.
The study should be seen as the firstcomprehensive approximation of met and unmet demand for alcohol treatmentservices in the NT. It provides new data for future treatment servicesplanning. The study will provide an important evidence base to inform thedevelopment of an Alcohol Treatment Services Plan for the NT, as recommended inthe Riley Review. This plan will be overseen by the AOD Coordination Group,consisting of non-government and government service providers, by the end of2019.
The study found:
There were42,871 episodes/encounters for alcohol treatment in NT in 2016/17, equating to117 encounters every day across the NT.
An estimated6400-8000 individuals per year currently access some form of treatment, withcounselling the most prevalent form of treatment.
The bulk ofalcohol treatment services are provided in Aboriginal community controlled healthservices, General Practitioners, self-help groups and Sobering Up Shelters. Thisis a signal that these settings are vital for picking up and referring peopleinto more intensive specialist alcohol treatment pathways.
Screening andbrief intervention is defined as provision of advice and information by a nurseor allied health worker to an estimated 15% of the population over 12 years ofage who may be at-risk of developing an alcohol disorder in an outpatientsetting.
The reviewersfound there is a large unmet demand for screening and brief intervention, inthe order of 18,500 to 19,000 people.
There are anestimated 158 residential rehabilitation beds for people with alcoholdisorders. This is 15% below the modelled estimate of 187 residentialrehabilitation beds.
Thedistribution of current treatment types, and geographical distribution of thattreatment, will be reassessed as part of the development of an AlcoholTreatment Services Plan to strengthen the service system.
There is anidentified opportunity to enhance service planning between NT Health,Corrections and Territory Families, in combination with the NTPHN, whichprovides resources to the primary health care sector.
The report isavailable online at https://www.menzies.edu.au/DemandStudyforAlcoholTreatmentServices.
Quotesfrom the Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
The release of the Demand Study forAlcohol Treatment Services in the Northern Territory is part of the TerritoryGovernments commitment to delivering the recommendations of the Riley Report.
Thestudy identified the important role that can be played by primary health careproviders, particularly GPs and the Aboriginal community controlledorganisations, in responding to alcohol treatment needs throughout the NT, tocomplement the role of specialist AOD services.
The study will be one element used toinform the development of an Alcohol Treatment Services Plan for the NT.
Quotesfrom Professor James Smith, Father Frank Flynn Fellow (Harm Minimisation),Menzies School of Health Research:
Studyparticipants identified that effective alcohol treatment services need to beintegrated with other health and social services, such as child protection,corrections, housing, and mental health service systems. This indicatesintersectoral planning is vital.
Thestudy reveals that a much greater emphasis on alcohol screening and briefinterventions is required to prevent the long-term costs and impacts of theharms of alcohol in the NT.
NOTE:Professor James Smith, Father Frank Flynn Fellow (Harm Minimisation), MenziesSchool of Health Research, is available to discuss the results of the studyfurther.
