Launch of the Nursing Council on Alcohol

Three-hundred nurses and senior multi-disciplinary experts from the alcohol field attended the launch conference of the Nursing Council on Alcohol (November 2000, Glasgow, Scotland) where national and international nurse leader emphasised the importance of the identification of harmful alcohol use, and why nurses should be offering brief interventions to patients drinking at harmful levels. Deputies representing the Chief Nursing Officers (CNO's) for Scotland, England and Northern Ireland attended.

Video messages of support were relayed from Sarah Mullally, CNO England, and Professor Oliver D'A Slevin, Chairman of the National Board Northern Ireland along with written messages from The Baroness Flather JP DL, Chairman of AERC and Ms Anne Jarvie CNO, Scotland.

Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Mr Tony Blair M.P., in a faxed a message offering support, and encouraging the initiative said: "I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the establishment of the Nursing Council on Alcohol… Alcohol is an enjoyable part of many people's lives but the government recognises the many health and social problems which excessive drinking can cause… Nurses have a crucial role to play in promoting sensible drinking and your organisation will help to ensure they make the fullest possible contribution to this goal…"