Abstract A population health approach has not traditionally featured in the work of acute hospitals. Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust (CWFT) is working to challenge perceptions and demonstrate the opportunity acute trusts have to lead the way in population health. Evidence suggests that CWFT's seven local clinical commissioning groups have 10% more emergency-specific 30-day readmissions than national rates. National data demonstrates alcohol-related attendances increases up to 70% of all weekend attendances. CWFT established an Alcohol Collaboration group to proactively address this alcohol burden. Led by a public health consultant, the group consists of seven local authorities, commissioners, third sector organisations, clinicians and a patient representative. The group engages monthly to support and direct the strategic development of hospital alcohol services. A trust audit suggested that 33% of our population consume alcohol at risky levels, 3% higher than national data, with 2% considered dependant. These findings have been used to engage and prompt discussions with clinical and non-clinical staff and feature as part of a trust-wide alcohol education programme targeting all frontline staff. Our staff and community partners increasingly recognise the opportunity in addressing health at a population level. The most significant achievement to date has been the launch of a 7-day alcohol support service without investment of additional resource. The groups collaborative approach is actively impacting perceptions at an acute trust and ultimately improving patient outcomes at a population level. External funding details