MP calls for action after 11% rise in drunken A&E patients
Maxwell Kusi Obodum • Published 14 Apr 2012 12:00
4 Comments
SOARING numbers of alcohol casualties are pushing "snowed under" doctors and nurses in the Royal Berkshire Hospital's emergency wards to the limit.
The hospital has seen an 11% rise in patients admitted to its Emergency Department suffering from alcohol-related accidents or injuries - with staff treating at least one intoxicated patient a day.
Shock figures obtained under a Freedom of Information request by Reading East MP Rob Wilson reveal 457 people were admitted to the hospital under the influence between April 1 last year and February 29, compared to 407 for the same period the previous year.
The figures also reveal during the same period 78 under-18s were admitted to the Royal Berks under the influence, and 40 of them were under 16.
Admissions peak on Friday and Saturday nights when young binge drinkers hit the town, but Debbie Marlow, one of two alcohol nurse specialists employed since December to tackle alcohol-related illnesses, stresses people of all ages are being admitted.
She said: "We are seeing a lot more people of all ages with long term problems and from questioning the staff there is usually an alcohol-related attendance every shift."
Colleague Tori Spencer described it as "frustrating" for staff and added: "They are very snowed under and time limited. If it continues it's going to have a big impact on the NHS. There will be more demand on beds and the money is going to struggle to stretch. Alcohol leads to so many physical and mental health problems. While alcohol is so cheap and readily available it will cause damage."
Mr Wilson is backing the Government's proposed Alcohol Strategy calling for minimum alcohol pricing and for additional powers for hospitals to hold to account pubs and clubs that routinely send drunks to them by triggering licensing reviews of hotspots. He said: "Action is required to get these numbers down. They're an unnecessary drain on NHS resources and a waste of nurses and doctors' time.
"Unfortunately some drinkers get drunk on cheap booze before they go out, leading to unacceptable drunken behaviour on our streets. It's time to get tough on the irresponsible binge-drinkers."
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 12 Apr 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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CONservatives OUT
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 16:27
Report commentYou'll need more that a pathetic drinks campaign to keep you in power mr Wilson. Were you at the A&E as well with all the other drunks to witness the numbers then?? That will explain why your nose is always red!
Mr Wilson has been telling his CONsituants that hapless George Osborne presented a "good budget" either he's been reading someone else's budget or he's working towards a place in the cabinet! Dilusional me thinks!
Recommend?
Yes 28
No 2
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rh28
Unregistered User
Apr 16, 12:54
Report commentOne again we have lies, damn lies and statistics. This represents an increase of just 50 people over a 10 month period and so it can hardly be classifed as statistically significant. This is just political grandstanding by the buffoon Wilson trying to underline his 'cabinet credentials'. Don't waste your time Rob - anyone who knows you knows that (ironically) the only cabinet you're fit for is a drinks cabinet.
Recommend? Yes 10
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Mama Duke
Unregistered User
Apr 16, 13:38
Report commentOh do go away Mr Wilson, you've clearly got no grip on reality. Is this the best you can come up with? the A&E's have been full at weekends since the 70's, have you just come to realise?
Jeeze! if you have nothing else better to do then grab a rubbish bag and start picking up the litter on the streets, at least try and earn your way and justify the public money you and your buddies in Government squander!
Recommend? Yes 13
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Words of wisdom
Unregistered User
Apr 17, 09:28
Report commentNot very popular this MP is he? When is he up for re-election, maybe I should send my farewells to him now.
Recommend? Yes 8
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