More than 500 alcohol related deaths in Lancashire

Dozens have died due to alcohol in Hartlepool

A new map of alcohol harm highlights that there were 564 alcohol-related deaths in the county in 2012/13. In total 371 of those were men and 192 were women.

The findings, taken from Alcohol Concern’s newly updated Alcohol Harm Map, also show that 20 per cent of people in Lancashire are drinking at a level which increases the risk of damaging their health.

The data also shows there were 231,702 alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in the county - of those 147,348 were A&E attendances.

And alcohol-related healthcare costs in Lancashire were an estimated £65.2m, equating to £67 per adult.

Karen Partington, Chief Executive at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, said: “When somebody turns up at our Emergency Departments, for whatever reason, we treat them without judgement and simply focus on delivering excellent care with compassion.

“In April 2013, we developed a Hospital Alcohol Liaison Service which is designed to reduce the rate of increase in alcohol related hospital emergency admissions and to reduce the length of stay in hospital for alcohol related issues.

“The team works with patients to assess and help with their physical, psychological and social needs and the Hospital Alcohol Liaison Nurses train other members of staff so they know how to identify somebody who may have an alcohol related issue.

“The service has been set up to improve access and engagement with primary care and community specialist substance misuse services who take on referrals and supports people to reduce their alcohol consumption.”

County Coun Azhar Ali, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Alcohol misuse is an issue here in Lancashire.

“As well as damaging people’s health, it can devastate families and communities and can lead people to anti-social behaviour.

“In Lancashire we are working hard with our partners including the Police, Hospitals, CCG’s and our substance misuse service providers to reduce the harmful effects associated with excessive alcohol use and to try to reduce the number of alcohol related deaths.

“We have developed a successful treatment system where people can get the advice and support they need to reduce or stop their excessive drinking.

“The services we provide include both community treatment, residential detoxification and rehabilitation programmes.”