Action over cheap booze welcomed

OLDHAM’S most senior health chief has backed Government proposals to crackdown on cheap booze promotions by introducing a compulsory code.

Alan Higgins, the borough’s director of public health and lead Greater Manchester director of public health for alcohol issues, said: “Any new legislation that will help to reduce the impact on our communities of harmful or hazardous drinking is welcome.

“Greater Manchester has the worst health statistics in the country for alcohol. This includes lives lost, hospital admissions for alcohol-related harm, alcohol-related recorded crimes and incapacity benefit claims.

“Greater Manchester has a number of excellent partnership arrangements in place to tackle problems with alcohol.

“A number of services are being developed to ensure people are given the help they need.
“We are disappointed the Government did not go further and introduce a minimum price for a unit of alcohol of at least 50p.

“This would have targeted the sales of discounted alcohol sold by supermarkets.”

The introduction of a mandatory code of practice will regulate the information that is available to the public on the number of units that each drink contains, allowing drinkers to make sensible choices.

The Greater Manchester Alcohol Strategy Group, the Greater Manchester Public Health Network and Association of Greater Manchester Authorities Health Commission have also welcomed the proposals.

NHS Oldham is continuing work to tackle alcohol-related problems in the borough.

A pilot programme at the Royal Oldham Hospital offers advice, support and treatment to people of all ages who are drinking at hazardous and harmful levels.

A particular focus for support will be people who have regularly attended hospital due to alcohol-related problems.

A new alcohol co-ordinator in Oldham is identifying where investment is needed in new initiatives.

An alcohol strategy being developed will look at five alcohol-related themes, such as young people and crime and will include action plans for each.

NHS Oldham has commissioned an early implementer scheme at the hospital’s accident and emergency department.

Alcohol liaison nurses will follow up patients who have been admitted to casualty with alcohol-related health problems and ensure they are referred to the relevant service for support and treatment.

Most local GPs have signed up to an agreement to ask their patients how much they are drinking and are able to offer support and treatment or point patients in the direction of someone who can.

Many other health professionals from a wide range of health services have also received training to identify and refer people in need of help.