The Health Service Executive (HSE) did a feasibility test for alcohol screening and brief interventions in four hospital emergency departments during December 2009 and February 2010. Staff in the emergency departments asked attendees ‘a quick question’ about their alcohol use. Discussing the feasibility test, project manager Ruth Armstrong, Health Promotion HSE, explained ‘the initiative showed that there was good co-operation from the public, with 94% of people agreeing to be screened.  This shows the value of the screening but also helps to reassure staff that people were happy to take part.’ This view is further supported by a survey1 which found that there is near complete support (95% or over) for healthcare professionals asking about alcohol consumption where there is a link to the condition or treatment. While there is less support in the context of routine history taking, support remains strong at 89%. 

2. ESRC Centre for Organisation and Innovation (2006) How much is too much? Drinking and you. London: Department of Health.