The number of alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in central Lancashire has fallen.
New figures reveal that 520 fewer people turned up to Accident and Emergency units with alcohol related problems in 2011/12.
In 2010/11 there were 5,155 admissions, compared to the lower figures of 4,635 last year.
The figures were published on the They Work For You website after the question was asked by an MP.
Over a three year period there was a total of 14,911 alcohol related admissions through A&E in central Lancashire.
Andrew Ascroft, NHS Central Lancashire public health associate, said: “Reducing alcohol related hospital admissions continues to be a priority for NHS Central Lancashire.
“We are involved in developing and supporting a range of interventions to prevent individuals from drinking alcohol in a way that affects themselves or those around them.
“Data showing numbers of hospital admission reducing in a single year need to be considered with caution. Such data do not necessarily reflect the underlying trend.
“However any reduction in the numbers of hospital admissions is welcome.
“It is important that people don’t wait for alcohol to have a significant impact on their health before they start to think about how much they are drinking.
“They also need to think about how their drinking affects their behaviour and their family and friends.
“If people in central Lancashire want to talk to someone about their drinking they can obtain free and confidential advice by telephoning the drug and alcohol service ‘Discover’ on 01772 825492.”
The figures are based on methodology developed by the North West Public Health Observatory, which uses 48 indicators for alcohol-related illnesses, determining the proportion of a range of diseases and injuries that can be partly attributed to alcohol as well as those that are, by definition, wholly attributable to alcohol.
A spokesman for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which runs Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospitals declined to comment.
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