Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase provision of services to address alcohol-related issues related to any increase in the consumption of alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local authorities are responsible for assessing local needs and commissioning alcohol services to meet these needs, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public Health England supports local authorities in this work by providing advice, guidance and data.
In support of COVID-19, NHS England and NHS Improvement have published a specialty guide for alcohol dependence to support clinicians in acute and mental health trusts treating patients with alcohol dependence. Additionally, a national alcohol clinical expert network has been established to provide advice and support.