Update on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Action Plan

Transcription

1 Update on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Action Plan Thursday 17 March 2016 Addiction Treatment Leadership Day

2 What this presentation covers FASD 101 The Action Plan (and feedback on it) Where to from here? What is the role of the AOD sector?

3 What is FASD? Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the wide range of effects possible when alcohol is consumed during pregnancy

4 What kind of effects are possible? Fetal death Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth Effects at a clinically significant level Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or other diagnosable Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Effects at a sub-clinical level e.g. low/moderate level alcohol exposure associated with increased rates of conduct problems Epigenetic effects Emerging evidence of epigenetic changes that can persist across at least three generations Instant effects on the fetus Decreased respiration and response to stimuli

5 Effects associated with FASD Physical abnormalities e.g. congenital heart defects, hearing loss, fused spine, malformed retinas, microcephaly, sentinel facial features Neurodevelopmental impacts e.g. intellectual disability, impairments to working memory, executive function, motor control, receptive language and adaptive function

6 Alcohol exposure and its potential effects on development

7 Drinking during pregnancy in NZ

8 The FASD Action Plan Cross-agency strategy led by the Ministry of Health Other agencies involved: Health Promotion Agency MSD (including CYFs and the Children s Teams) Ministry of Justice Ministry of Education Department of Corrections NZ Police Ministry of Primary Industries

9 General feedback on the Action Plan Overwhelmingly positive response Strong support for a whole of government plan Strong support for the principles, outcomes and building blocks proposed Really constructive and well considered advice on improvements Concern about resourcing and accountability

10 Principles of our approach Focus on empowering families/whanau Collaborate to achieve a collective impact Prevention is always possible Build on strengths Strive for sustained, systemic change

11 What we want to achieve Outcome 1: Women are supported to have alcohol-free pregnancies. Outcome 2: People with neurodevelopmental issues are identified early and receive timely assessments from FASD capable teams. Outcome 3: People and their families, whānau and caregivers receive timely, joined-up support tailored to their needs and strengths. Outcome 4: There is an improved evidence base so we can make good decisions and effective investments.

12 Building blocks for action: Prevention Outcome 1: Women are supported to have alcohol-free pregnancies Shifting NZ s drinking culture Providing clear, unambiguous and consistent messages Empowering women to make active, planned choices around pregnancy Supporting a consistent primary care response Increasing access to support and specialist services for women at high risk of having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy

13 Building blocks for action: Identification Outcome 2: People with neurodevelopmental issues are identified early and receive timely assessments from FASD capable teams Building family and community capacity to understand and identify FASD and other neurodevelopmental issues Building evidence-based awareness and understanding among professionals Ensuring clear referral pathways Providing multidisciplinary assessment and the creation of an individualised profile Increasing clinical capacity and capability

14 Building blocks for action: Support Outcome 3: People and their families, whānau and caregivers receive timely, joined-up support tailored to their needs and strengths Improving community understanding Universal approaches tailored to need Support for parents, families and caregivers Multidisciplinary care planning and coordination Accessible care and support pathways Support to navigate the system

15 Building blocks for action: Evidence Outcome 4: There is an improved evidence base so we can make good decisions and effective investments Routinely collect and analyse key data Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions Encourage research

16 Where to from here? Analysis of submissions Action Plan due to Cabinet in June Internal data work underway to support prioritisation and business case Some initial actions kicking off

17 What is the role of the Addiction Treatment Sector?

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19 Questions?