The health burden associated with harmful
alcohol consumption is significant and with levels
of consumption increasing in the UK, individuals
need to consider lifestyle changes to minimise
harm. The potential for nurses to be more active in
this process by motivating, assessing and educating
patients has been recognised (Phillips 2011). The
role of the nurse is promoted in The Government’s
Alcohol Strategy (HM Government 2012), which
highlights missed opportunities for assessing and
supporting individuals exposed to alcohol-related
health risks. The newly formed Public Health
England also emphasises that nurses can play a
major role in improving the health and wellbeing
of the public by making each contact with a patient
count (Ford 2013).