Health and alcohol experts have teamed up with police

A grant from the Scottish Executive's Violence Against Women Fund has enabled two specialist workers to be based at accident and emergency at weekends.

The pilot scheme will refer victims to the support network.

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald is due to launch the initiative on Friday.

With our case workers we can actively identify victims of domestic abuse in a clinical environment and can refer them to the many organisations that can assist them Dr Adam Coldwells Alcohol Support

The scheme involves Alcohol Support Ltd, NHS Grampian and Grampian Police.

It aims to identify victims of domestic abuse in a clinical environment and refer them to other organisations.

Alcohol abuse is seen as a major factor in domestic abuse cases and it is hoped the scheme will assist doctors and nurses to help patients they suspect are being abused.

'Vital help'

Dr Adam Coldwells, chair of Alcohol Support, said: "Although it is certainly not the only factor, alcohol does play a significant part in domestic abuse, but is never the cause of the abuse.

"Abuse is often accompanied by violence that can escalate in frequency and intensity over time.

"This is one of the reasons why we have been working in partnership with Grampian Police and NHS Grampian to develop this initiative."

He said: "With our case workers we can actively identify victims of domestic abuse in a clinical environment and can refer them to the many organisations that can assist them."

Deputy Health Minister Mr Macdonald said: "We are pleased to fund this new project, through our Violence Against Women Fund, to provide a vital support service to women and children affected by domestic abuse.

"Two case workers with a specialist knowledge of domestic abuse and violence will be based in accident and emergency to spot signs of abuse and offer vital help.