Booze-fuelled casualty admissions up 10.4pc

MORE than 200 Oldhamers are being hospitalised every month for serious alcohol problems.

Accident and Emergency departments admitted 2,531 Oldham residents in 2008-09 for alcohol-related problems, including alcohol poisoning, liver disease and mental problems caused by drink.

The figures only relate to the most serious cases who were admitted and do not take into account thousands who would have passed through A&E for other booze-fuelled accidents and dealt with on the spot and discharged.

Numbers of Oldham patients needing treatment have increased by 10.4 per cent in two years from 2,292 in 2006-07.

Across England, admissions have increased by 16.7 per cent.

Alan Higgins, director of public health for Oldham, said: “It is a real concern that attendance at A&E in Oldham is continuing to rise as a result of excessive drinking.

“A pilot programme is under way at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

“It offers brief advice, support and treatment to people of all ages who are drinking at hazardous and harmful levels.

“People who have regularly attended hospital due to alcohol-related problems will be a particular focus in this and are offered support.”

The figures come a day after the Tories said they would ditch the “confusing” units system for labelling alcoholic drinks as part of plans to make Britain healthier. Instead, details will be given on what volume of alcoholic drinks contain.

The Department of Health said the level of admissions was unacceptable and they were trying to reduce the numbers.

A spokesman said: “We have already taken new powers to tackle the most irresponsible promotions such as ‘drink as much as you like for £5’ and we will continue to look at how we can tackle the problems caused by cheap alcohol.”

Health Secretary Andy Burnham hinted Labour could back the introduction of minimum alcohol prices to respond to “ludicrously cheap booze.”

He added: “There is rising public concern.

“We need to balance the rights of people who drink responsibly with those who buy ludicrously cheap booze and go out and harm themselves and others.”