An evaluation of a 'hub and spoke' model of peer support.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving access to help for alcohol problems within a regional military veteran population: Evaluation of the pilot implementation of a ‘hub and spoke’ model of integrated health and social care delivery.
IRAS ID
242418
Contact name
Thomas Michael Hill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Healthcare staff working in alcohol misuse services posed two questions: Why is it so difficult to engage ex-servicemen/women in treatment programmes, and once they engage, why is it so difficult to keep them engaged? Our previous research suggested that this was due to (a) ‘military culture’ – in which heavy drinking was seen as ‘normal’ and seeking help from others was seen as sign of ‘weakness’, and (b) services that are not sensitive to veterans’ needs and often complicated, inconsistent and confusing to access. A planning event involving NHS staff, Local Government, military charities, armed forces representatives and veterans (some of whom had experienced alcohol misuse problems themselves) suggested a solution: This involved employing a (veteran) peer-support worker to help others ‘navigate’ through the complicated services available. One Local Authority and one NHS Trust have agreed to put this arrangement in place: We intend to investigate its effectiveness. In order to do this fully, we aim to use several measurement tools which assess the severity of alcohol misuse, the likelihood of continuing harmful drinking, and ‘quality of life’ in general. These measurements will be taken before and after people receive help from the veteran support worker. In addition to this, we intend to interview those veterans involved in the programme about their experiences and hopes for the future. Our analysis should provide important information about ‘what’ works, ‘where’, ‘when’, and in what ‘order’. We also intend to test whether or not this approach to alcohol misuse care represents ‘value for money’
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0146
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion