Drinkers cost NHS millions
Boozed-up patients are costing Shropshire hospitals millions of pounds every year, a shock report has revealed. Boozed-up patients are costing Shropshire hospitals millions of pounds every year, a shock report has revealed. More than 20,000 men and women in Telford & Wrekin alone are exceeding safe drink levels, the report says. One of Shropshire's top doctors, Catherine Woodward, said drink related hospital admissions at the Princess Royal were costing an estimated £840,000 a year. It is believed that the figure for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital is even higher - and the situation is likely to get even worse with children as young as 11 regularly drinking alcohol. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
One of Shropshire's top doctors, Catherine Woodward, said drink related hospital admissions at the Princess Royal were costing an estimated £840,000 a year.
It is believed that the figure for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital is even higher - and the situation is likely to get even worse with children as young as 11 regularly drinking alcohol.
But Dr Woodward, director of public health for Telford & Wrekin, warned binge drinking was not just a problem affecting the young but also many middle-aged and older people.
More than 20,000 men and women across Telford & Wrekin are exceeding safe drink levels, according to Dr Woodward. The problem of alcohol abuse has also been highlighted in a new report to county council leaders.
It says that many A&E patients at the Royal Shrewsbury are testing positive for alcohol. The report says early analysis of data suggests "high numbers" of those screened are testing positive.
Dr Woodward revealed that many young boys in Telford & Wrekin are drinking at least once a week and that the number of patients turning up drunk at the Princess Royal A&E department is increasing. Admissions for alcohol -elated liver disease are also rising.
Alcohol is the main focus of Dr Woodward's annual public health report which she outlined to the Telford & Wrekin Primary Care Trust yesterday.
On the issue of binge drinking, she said it was less visible among middle-aged and older people because it tended to take place in the home. She has called for more funding and an inter-agency strategy to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse.
Dr Andy Inglis, chairman of the trust's professional executive, said the issue was not helped by "happy hours" and poor alcohol units labelling on drinks bottles.
By Dave Morris