Evaluation of the Alcohol Assertive Outreach Team Model (VALOR)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
NIHR MHIN Project 3: Integrated protocols for substance use, mental and physical health problems. Evaluation of the implementation of the alcohol assertive outreach team model. AKA the VALOR study - Value of Assertive Outreach.
IRAS ID
324498
Contact name
Joanna Bryant
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 5 days
Research summary
Alcohol-related death and illness are rising in the UK. Many people with alcohol use problems have additional health and social care needs, such as mental and physical health problems, disabilities, unstable housing, employment, and income. These circumstances make it difficult for them to attend appointments offered in ‘routine care’, such as GPs or community drug and alcohol services. As a result, people with complex needs tend to use less ‘routine care’ and more ‘emergency care’ (e.g., A&E and inpatient ward admissions). A key goal of the NHS is to help people feel like they are less often in crisis.
Alcohol Assertive Outreach Teams (AAOTs) are services that offer support to people with alcohol use problems that have struggled to make their appointments or dropped out of ‘routine’ alcohol care. AAOT services make it easier to access help by offering to come see people in their homes and neighbourhoods. These services work differently for different people, teams, and areas, but there is not a lot of research on what works best and in what circumstances.
This study aims to evaluate the implementation of AAOT services across Greater Manchester. For this purpose, we will interview 20 service-users, 20 staff, and 20 key stakeholders about their experiences with AAOT. We want to find out how these services work, what works well, and what can be improved. We hope this knowledge will help all drug and alcohol services offer more people the support they need.The study was designed by researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience of alcohol use problems. People with lived experience will contribute to all aspects of the study, from designing materials at the start, to producing reports at the end. This is to make sure the study is relevant and helpful.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
23/WA/0275
Date of REC Opinion
2 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion