Audit report on a sample of alcohol related deaths

The report presents the findings of an audit of alcohol related deaths which occurred in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) in 2010. It was undertaken to assess the impact of addiction service redesign following recommendations of an earlier audit of alcohol related deaths conducted in the old Greater Glasgow Health Board (GGHB) area in 2003. The methodology of the previous audit was followed as closely as possible to permit an evaluation of service changes on patient outcomes. The purpose of reviewing alcohol related deaths was to identify whether service changes have made a difference. Services work hard to keep people alive, but it is difficult to estimate the number of deaths prevented by these changes. A review of the changes in services along with a change in the management of people who die of an alcohol related cause helps to provide an estimate of their effectiveness. An improvement in services may lead to a reduction in death rates.