The Alcohol Care Team Involvement and Engagement (ACTIVE) patient and public involvement group is made up of Cheshire and Merseyside (C&M) residents with lived experience of using alcohol care services, as well as their friends, family or carers. The ACTIVE group acts as a ‘critical friend’ to the C&M Programme for Alcohol Care and Treatment (PROACT), providing critical insights and helping to shape alcohol care within the subregion.
At a recent ACTIVE meeting, the group heard some of the findings from the recent survey of Cheshire and Merseyside Alcohol Care Teams (ACTs). The survey was first completed in 2020 and repeated in 2024 to show how ACTs have developed over time. The results show how the ACTs have developed their skills and competence and indicates a reduction in the variation of key interventions provided by the ACTs in C&M. For example, all seven of the ACTs surveyed* now screen for alcohol related cognitive impairment which has significant impacts on patient care and outcomes.
The ACTIVE group were extremely happy to hear how the ACTs have developed since they and their loved ones have accessed the services. The team supporting the PROACT programme are incredibly grateful to the ACTIVE group for sharing their insights and experiences which have helped shape alcohol care in the subregion.
The ACTIVE group were also asked for their feedback and contributions to a new handbook being created for student nurses doing placement within ACTs. The handbook provides helpful learning, space for reflection and now – with the help of the ACTIVE group – the personal perspective from patients and their loved ones. The group shared that they were extremely pleased that the handbook will be rolled out across Cheshire and Merseyside and that their contributions will help challenge thoughts and shape the development of future nurses.
