Following the launch of the Competencies Framework PROgram for Alcohol Care Teams (PROACT) Clinical Network in April, a second Clinical Network event was held on Tuesday 5th July, which saw 47 of the Alcohol Care Team (ACT) community members and linked staff throughout Cheshire and Merseyside come together once again.
The event, organised by the Collaborative covered engaging discussions on the Advancing Quality program for decompensated liver disease, Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), determining our priorities and implementing the Competency Framework.
These were led by a variety of fantastic speakers including:
- Margaret Jones, Director of Public Health, Sefton Council, and co-lead for ‘Reduction of Harm from Alcohol Programme
- Dr Paul Richardson, Honorary Associate Clinical Professor of Hepatology, Clinical Director, Liverpool University Hospitals Trust and co-lead for ‘Reduction of Harm from Alcohol Programme’
- Ravi Menghani, Programme Manager, Champs Public Health Collaborative
- Dr Edward Britton, Consultant Hepatologist, Liverpool University Hospitals Trust
- Janet Garner, Service User and Carer Involvement Co-ordinator, Comensus Lead for School of Nursing and School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire and David McCollom, Creative Director of DMC Media, Comensus member and ex-service user
- Mandy Smith, Lead Alcohol Specialist Nurse, Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust
Throughout the discussions attendees had the chance to share their experiences and learning within the forum creating further development and support for each other.
Dr Paul Richardson, Honorary Associate Clinical Professor of Hepatology, Clinical Director, Liverpool University Hospitals Trust and co-lead for ‘Reduction of Harm from Alcohol Programme’
“We are extremely delighted with the continued success of the PROACT Clinical Network. It is great to see such positivity and engaged learning as a result of this forum. And we hope that the success continues through the next planned PROACT Clinical Network events.’’
Attendees were asked what they found most useful from the event which led to some extremely positive feedback:
‘Working together – everybody wants to make a difference’
‘Continued networking and collaboration’
‘Meeting like-minded, passionate people who want to provide excellent, holistic care for our patients’
‘The conference was very informative’
‘Different teams all sharing experience’
Other positive feedback included:
‘We all seem to be on the same page and can learn from each other’s strengths.’
‘Great opportunity to network and share best practice’
‘Thoroughly enjoyed today’s event – looking forward to the next one’
Following the positive feedback which indicated strong support for continued supervision and for this forum to meet quarterly, planning has been put in place to meet again in the Autumn.
In the meantime further development of the program will include:
- Pathway development in key areas such as Alcohol Related Cognitive Impairment (ARCI), early detection of liver disease and supporting the management of decompensated liver disease.
- Co-production of quality statements with hospital and community colleagues, for each of the new pathways.
- Development of the competency framework to cover support roles and grouping skills by level to provide a clear progression route, linked to resources required and expected outcome for patients.
For further information on the PROACT Competencies Framework PROgram for Alcohol Care Team click here.