If a pharmacy team is planning on setting up an alcohol IBA service, there are a number of factors that need to be considered:

• The physical environment 

Ensure that the area or room in which the service will be provided is confidential and accessible. Make sure that it is not a specific area singled out for this service, as people may feel vulnerable and exposed – a quiet area or consultation room could be used. 

• Resources

Make sure that you have the time, skill mix and resources to provide consultations. Remember that each consultation could last 10 minutes on average. Ensure you have appropriate literature available, explaining alcohol units, recommended drinking levels and drink diaries. Copies of the chosen short screening tool(s) should be easily accessible, and clipboards could be available to make it easier for people to fill them in. Have the full AUDIT questionnaire to hand if used, together with appropriate signposting information to pass on to patients, as appropriate.

• Declaration of Competence 

Completing appropriate learning and assessments will support pharmacy staff in meeting specific competencies within the Declaration of Competence framework for an alcohol IBA service. If the service is not currently commissioned locally, then working through a learning programme will enable pharmacies to be service ready, or support them in maintaining competence in everyday practice.

• Service specification 

A service specification will be provided by the commissioner of an alcohol IBA service and sets out the requirements for service provision. 

• Standard operating procedures 

Prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the pharmacy team to follow. Also, ensure that SOPs for follow-up phone calls and referrals to GPs or specialist services are available. 

• Training for the pharmacy team 

It is important to involve the whole pharmacy team, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and medicines counter assistants, at an appropriate level. A well organised and cohesive team approach will make an alcohol IBA service run more effectively. CPPE’s Alcohol identification and brief advice workshop can be used to meet the competencies listed in the Declaration of Competence for alcohol identification and brief advice, or the local commissioner’s service specification. The local drug and alcohol team, or specialists from the local commissioning body, may also support local training events.

Practice point

There are a number of alcohol IBA services run by community pharmacies across the country. Use the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) Services Database to find out more about them and assess the practicalities and benefits of providing such a service.