Drinkaware appoints Chief Medical Adviser

29 Jun 2009

Alcohol charity Drinkaware has appointed internationally renowned alcohol expert Professor Paul Wallace* as its Chief Medical Adviser. Taking up the newly created role at the charity earlier this month, Professor Wallace will support Drinkaware’s mission to influence consumer behaviour by providing accurate information and facts about the effects of alcohol on people’s lives and lifestyles. As Chief Medical Adviser, Wallace will review the charity’s health and medical communications, advise on campaigns and act as a media spokesperson.

Wallace, who specialises in epidemiology and primary care, is Professor of Primary Care at University College London and a General Practitioner. Having pioneered studies on the detection and management of patients with excessive alcohol consumption in general practice, Professor Wallace continues to take an active interest in alcohol research. He is also the chief investigator on the trial of DownYourDrink.org.uk, an interactive website designed to help heavy drinkers to moderate their alcohol consumption.

As Drinkaware’s Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Wallace will be supported by an eight-strong medical advisory panel with experts in specialist areas including liver; mental health; accidents and emergencies; breast cancer; oral cancer; digestion; adolescent health and public health.

Paul Wallace, says: “Public education plays a key role in helping to shape individual attitudes to alcohol consumption. In my general practice I often see the reality of what happens when people regularly drink too much, so I’m delighted to team-up with Drinkaware to provide consumers with rigorous clinical information to help them protect their health and wellbeing.”

Chris Sorek, Drinkaware’s CEO, says: “As an epidemiology and primary care specialist, Professor Wallace is perfectly placed to offer insights into the effects of alcohol on public health and society. His wealth of experience and expertise will ensure that Drinkaware continues to be a trustworthy and credible source of information for consumers who are concerned, or simply curious, about the effects of alcohol on their health.“

Drinkaware aims to change British drinking culture by giving consumers information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lifestyles. For further advice and information visit drinkaware.co.uk.

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For further information and images of Professor Wallace, please contact:

Emily May
Communications Officer
Drinkaware
tel: 020 7307 7459
mob: 07827 971 738
email: emay@drinkaware.co.uk

Notes to editors:

*Paul Wallace is Director of the NIHR Primary Care Research Network and Deputy Director of the NIHR Clinical Research Network Co-ordinating Centre. He is also Professor of Primary Care at University College London, and a general medical practitioner in the Hampstead Group Practice. He was awarded an MRC epidemiology training fellowship shortly after completing his specialist training in general practice in 1982, and then followed a career in academic general practice, first at the MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit at Northwick Park, then at Imperial College, and finally in his current professorial appointment in UCL, which he took up in 1993.

His involvement with research on alcohol began when he was chief investigator on the early Medical Research Council pioneering studies on the detection and management of patients with excessive alcohol consumption in general practice. This work paved the way for a series of major international trials which established the key role of screening and brief intervention for alcohol problems.

In addition to the Chief Medical Adviser and panel, Drinkaware's medical trustees include:

Professor David Foxcroft, School of Health and Social Care, Oxford Brookes University
Dr Nick Sheron - Head of Clinical Hepatology, Southampton General Hospital
Dr Michael Wilks - President, Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME)

Drinkaware advises men to stick to the recommended guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol per day (2 pints of standard beer) and women to stick to 2-3 units per day (a 175ml glass of wine).

Drinkaware (www.drinkaware.co.uk) provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works with the medical profession, the alcohol industry, government and independent members to achieve its goals.

Page last updated by: Unknown, 10 May 2012.