Public Health Improvement award for Stockport drug and alcohol service

Stockport Council has received recognition for its work in improving outcomes for those with drug and alcohol issues, wining the Public Health Improvement award at the 2020 MJ Local Government Achievement Awards.

The award, for best Public Health Improvement, recognised the invaluable support the Victoria Intensive Project (VIP) had provided to individuals and the community, with the Council partnering with CGL Stockport and others to directly support individuals with complex drug and alcohol issues. The award was presented during a virtual awards event held on 2nd October.

Launched in 2017, the project was set up to tackle the wider socio-economic causes of poor health by working with a cohort of complex individuals in a particular area of Stockport.

Previously NHS colleagues had identified an issue where individuals were creating demand on emergency services, but were not engaging with other services which could have provided support to them and avoided much of that demand. Rapid, targeted and able to respond to needs across multiple domains in a flexible manner by offering an opportunity for the client to become accustomed to engaging with support, VIP has led to a reduction in hospital attendance and improvements in health and wellbeing outcomes.

VIP has recently been expanded to support the work of the Adult Social Care Front Door. The VIP front door provision is delivered jointly by CGL with Adult Social Care input to ensure timely, consistent and appropriate responses and assessments are undertaken. This has enabled early identification of those individuals who could benefit from a VIP approach, ensuring that they get the support they need straight away.

Indicators so far are positive, and the team are establishing themselves with partners, such as Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Stockport Homes Group, and other services

Cllr Jude Wells, Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health, said:

I am really pleased that the MJ’s have recognised Stockport Council’s efforts to improve public health services. The Victoria Intensive Project is a wonderful example of how we have managed to reach out to support those with complex drugs and alcohol issues, who were previously not being reached.

I would like to thank all the staff involved for all their hard work and making such a positive impact on our community.”

Pam Smith, Chief Executive of Stockport Council, said:

I am delighted for the team who have delivered such high-quality work, and that includes the vital input and support we received from partner organisations too.

“From our colleagues in the NHS, the team at Greater Manchester Police, Stockport Homes and many others, the group is delivering a project that is having – and will continue to have – a really strong impact on the borough, both at an individual and community-wide level.”