The prevalence of drug and alcohol presentations on hospital-based services.

Despite a high prevalence of drug and alcohol (AOD)-related morbidity among patients presenting to emergency departments, acute care settings and pre-admission clinics, previous research has found AOD-related morbidity is not commonly identified on admission. AOD-related morbidity has important implications for patient management whilst in hospital as well as on re-admission rates. Consultation Liaison (CL) services are an intervention implemented in clinical settings to provide direct access to specialist services for support, treatment, advice and assistance with the management of a given condition. CL services have been adapted to the AOD field to reduce the health burden and associated costs that AOD problems place on the health system, such as inpatient ward access and exit blockages and re-admissions. NSW Health has provided specific funding to enhance AOD CL services in four Area Health Services: Sydney South West, Hunter New England, Greater Southern and Greater Western.
 
NDARC, in collaboration with the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE), has been contracted by NSW Health, Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office (MHDAO), to undertake an evaluation of Drug and Alcohol Consultation Liaison Services (AOD CL) in NSW.  This evaluation will also include the development of a clinical model of care for the establishment of future CL services in NSW and to standardise service provision in existing hospitals and Area Health Service.