Worry as old folk hit the demon drink

THE number of pensioners being admitted to hospital for booze-related problems in Oldham has soared by a quarter.

According to the latest figures from the Department of Health, 1,418 Oldham residents over the age of 65 need hospita treatment for alcohol-related illnesses between April, 2007, and March, 2008 — up from 1,137 in 2002/3. The figures relate to the number of people admitted by A&E departments with “alcohol-related conditions,” which includes alcoholic liver disease, mental and behavioural disorder due to the use of alcohol and the toxic effect of alcohol. They do not include physical injuries, such as bottle or knife wounds, caused as a result of violent, drunken behaviour.

A third of GP practices across Oldham offer extended support and treatment to people drinking too much.

All NHS Oldham’s health trainers and many frontline health and social care workers have undergone training so they can identify people who need help.

GPs across the town also now can screen new patients to find out the amount of alcohol they are drinking and either provide support or recommend further treatment.

Oldham council has also said that dealing with increasing numbers of booze-fuelled admissions to hospitals is one of its top priorities.

The Lib-Dems have called for more resources to be ploughed into the NHS to deal with the growing pressure alcohol is causing.