Future of ABIs Summit 2026

This hyrbid event, chaired by Professor Aisha Holloway (Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland), will take place 13.30-16.30, Wednesday 27th May 2026 at the Royal College of Physicians and online via Teams.

Why are we hosting this event?

In its Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan, the Scottish Government made clear it intends to reinvigorate the Alcohol Brief Intervention (ABI) programme in Scotland by “learning from the recommendations of the 2024 ABI review by PHS [Public Health Scotland] and implementing these where appropriate, including by expanding ABIs into a wider range of settings and developing tools to support conversations.”

In addition, several recently completed research projects have examined various aspects of ABI delivery and impact. This timely summit will bring together stakeholders with an interest in ABIs (whether in policy or practice) to discuss the recent research and the PHS review recommendations, and what this means for the future of ABIs in Scotland.

What are the aims of this event?

· To provide an opportunity for stakeholders with an interest in ABIs to discuss latest research into ABIs and recommendations of the PHS review

· To help inform the Scottish Government’s next steps for ABIs in Scotland

Who should attend this event?

This event is open to all individuals who are interested in ABIs in Scotland. However, we are particularly interested in hearing from stakeholders from the NHS (particularly primary care healthcare professionals), Alcohol and Drug Partnerships, Health and Social Care Partnerships, third sector organisations, professional bodies, public health, and researchers with an interest in ABIs.

Will this event be hybrid?

Yes. We encourage and welcome in-person attendance; however, we are also mindful that this might be difficult for some (e.g. those working in frontline services). The event will be held in the Sir John Crofton Room at the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh and will be hosted online via Teams to maximise participation.

What is the event format?

We are working on the agenda, but we will have opportunity to ask questions of the presenters including Tara Shivaji (PHS), Dr Andrea Mohan and Dr Paul Toner (University of Dundee) and Dr Rupali Sachar (NHS Tayside), before discussing the barriers and facilitators for future ABI delivery in Scotland. The summit will be chaired by Professor Aisha Holloway, Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer, and will take place from 1.30 – 4.30pm.

What will happen after the event?

SHAAP will produce a brief report summarising the discussions from the event which will be shared with Scottish Government to help shape their strategy on ABIs, as well as with participants at the summit.

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Host or Publisher Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP)