Rise in cases of alcohol poisoning

DOZENS of women across Oldham were hospitalised with alcohol poisoning after binge drinking sessions last year.

Doctors treated 63 women over the age of 18 and a further seven girls aged 17 or under, according to the Department of Health — up 42 per cent on the previous 12 months.

The figures only relate to alcohol poisoning and do not take into account the thousands of people who would have passed through accident and emergency for other booze-fuelled accidents or simple drunkenness.

Alan Higgins, director of public health for Oldham, said: “It is a priority to tackle alcohol-related health problems in Oldham. In order to do this, we have ongoing work to commission services which meet the needs of local people.”

Health bosses say from next month, all Oldham GPs will be given the opportunity to screen new patients to find out the amount of alcohol they are drinking and either provide support or further treatment.

The Liberal Democrats seized on the numbers as proof that binge boozing is spiralling out of control for both men and women.

Don Foster, Liberal Democrat culture spokesman, said: “Such dramatic increases in alcohol poisoning raise serious concerns that the health messages on alcohol simply aren’t getting through.

“These figures make clear we need to do a lot more to educate women about the health consequences of drinking too much.”

Nationally, the number of women being admitted to hospital for alcohol poisoning in the last five years has almost doubled.

The data, released in answer to a parliamentary question, also showed a 66 per cent increase in the number of admissions of 14 to 17-year-old women.

The Liberal Democrats want casaulty departments to make referrals to alcohol health workers, who would give support, advice and information to patients on their alcohol use.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “The level of alcohol-related hospital admissions, crime, and even deaths are unacceptable. Tackling this culture is a Government priority. We are determined to take action to reduce the health and social harm caused.”