A small group of service users with alcohol dependence and co-occurring mental health and physical health problems disproportionately account for the greatest use of acute hospital admissions and emergency department attendances. This group of service users often struggle to access traditional alcohol treatment.
The model of Alcohol Assertive Outreach Treatment (AAOT) has been shown to be effective for improving access to high standards of evidence-based care for this group of service users. Funded and supported by the NIHR Mental Health Implementation Network (MHIN), we are working with Change Grow Live (CGL) and Hull City Council to support the development and implementation of a newly commissioned AAOT service in Yorkshire and Humber that engages service users in patient-led care. This mixed-method evaluation examines clinical data and hospital use, and involves interviews and focus groups with service users, AAOT staff, and local stakeholders, to assess if the new service is acceptable and feasible to implement, and to explore the impact of AAOT. We are assessing the implementation of the new AAOT service against a high-quality service model that has been shown to be most effective in previous clinical trials. By identifying the characteristics and clinical needs of AAOT service users and evaluating the acceptability, impact, and fidelity to the high-quality AAOT service model, we aim to inform policy decisions and clinical best practice
