HubCAPP Awards

HubCAPP is pleased to be able to announce the winners of the HubCAPP awards. Alcohol Concern would like to thank all the people who took the time to vote and give their comments for the projects they were voting for. 

Voting was close and the lead changed several times for both the awards. The most common reason people gave for voting for a particular project was that they felt it deserved recognition. We are pleased to announce the following winners:

HubCAPP Project of the Year

Winner: Imperial College Healthcare Trust St Mary’s Paddington Alcohol Health Work

Alcohol Health Work at Imperial College Healthcare Trust, St. Mary’s Hospital has been extensively researched since 1988.  St Mary’s Hospital developed the Paddington Alcohol Test (PAT) which is a quick clinical tool to screen patients presenting with the top 10 reasons associated with alcohol misuse and asks about their levels of alcohol consumption.  Doctors and nurses then use the PAT to highlight the relationship between attendance at A&E and drinking, known as the ‘teachable moment’. They can also refer people onto an appointment with the Alcohol Nurse Specialist.  The Alcohol Nurse Specialist sees patients from across the wards as well as A&E and has developed alcohol withdrawal management protocols for the hospital. For every two patients accepting such an appointment, there is one less re-attendance over the next year. 

Work at St Mary’s Hospital has been a catalyst for many similar projects across the country. Read more

HubCAPP Most Useful Project of the Year

Winner:  Stoke-on-Trent Commissioning increased capacity in alcohol treatment services.

NHS Stoke-on-Trent in 2009 used local and national statistics to identify gaps in their provision of alcohol treatment. This was systematic examination of the services being provided and the services required. Analysis indicated that Stoke-on-Trent had the 3rd highest rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions in England. There were high levels of alcohol-related mortality with limited treatment options only serving 8.7% of the higher risk population. National guidance (the Rush Model) recommends that at least be 15% of the local dependent population should have access to specialist treatment. An Alcohol Delivery plan has been developed and four new services had been designed.

Stoke-on-Trent is one of the Department of Health’s 20 ‘Early Implementer’ Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). These PCT are supported with additional funding to act as spearheads in implementing the high impact changes for alcohol.

Stoke-on-Trent’s commissioning process was comprehensive and inclusive. It was clear from the analysis that alcohol-related hospital admissions would continue to grow without increased intervention. Stoke-on-Trent Safer City Partnership has therefore committed to increasing investment and service provision in the alcohol treatment system.  Read more

Highly Recommended: Devon Alcohol Service
Devon Alcohol Service received recognition as the High Recommended Most Useful Project of the Year. This service provides a single point of referral to treatment by multiple routes. It is spread over three local areas and offers a range of treatment options for people. It has outreach provision in General Practitioner surgeries, community hospitals, community mental health premise and local voluntary agencies. Read more

Both awards were reviewed by the Alcohol Improvement Programme Board and judged against the following criteria:

  • Delivery of some or all of the High Impact Changes for alcohol
  • A demonstrable basis in indentified local need
  • Clear and appropriate aims and objectives
  • Involvement of relevant partners
  • Links to local and national strategy
  • Clear and measurable monitoring of outcomes or learning


Alcohol Concern Chief Executive, Don Shenker said of the awards that: “It’s great that people in the field responded to this HubCAPP initiative. We’d like to thank everyone who voted. Tackling the harm cause to society by alcohol misuse is one of the country’s most important health priorities. The work being recognised today is at the vanguard of that effort.”