The City of Wolverhampton has much higher rates of accident and emergency (emergency department) attendance and hospital admission for alcohol-related harm than in neighbouring health authorities and double the national death rate from alcohol-related liver disease. Recovery Near You, the local addiction service, in partnership with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, initiated a nurse-led drug and alcohol liaison team to address these health issues. This resulted in a tenfold increase in screening and engagement with patients in the acute hospital, the creation of guidelines, protocols and training available for staff in the Trust and an accessible service that has impacted positively on patient experience. This article describes the development of the team, outlining the challenges, successes and outcomes.

Carolyn Musgrave - Drug and Alcohol Liaison Team Manager, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust

Adele Timms - Senior Drug and Alcohol Liaison Nurse, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust

George Georgiou - Consultant Psychiatrist, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust

Simon Glover - Clinical Team Manager, Recovery Near You, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust

Magi Sque - Chair in Clinical Practice and Innovation, University of Wolverhampton, and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Doreen Black - Matron, Gastroenterology, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust

Ian Perry - Consultant Physician, Gastroenterology, New Cross Hospital and Cannock Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust