As the Prime Minister is set to call for
‘innovative solutions’ to tackle excessive drinking, London
Ambulance Service has secured extra funding from NHS London to
reopen the alcohol recovery centre in Soho.
The centre, which will operate for a further five weekends from
Friday 24 February, provides an alternative to A&E departments
for patients who have had too much to drink, helping to free up
hospital beds.
In December staff at the centre treated 180 patients who were
suffering from the effects of too much alcohol. The busiest night
was New Year’s Eve when 41 patients were treated. The vast majority
of patients were taken to the facility by the alternative response
vehicles or the ‘booze buses’.
Up to five staff will work at the centre each night. They will
monitor patients’ blood pressure and blood sugar levels allowing
them to sober up before discharging them or contacting their
families and friends to collect them. Most patients treated at the
centre will also be given advice on how to drink responsibly.
Ambulance Operations Manager Martin McTigue said: “I’m pleased
that we’ll be able to reopen the Soho centre as the vast majority
of patients who’ve had too much to drink don’t need to go to
A&E and can get the care they need at the alcohol recovery
centre.
“It also provides us an opportunity to talk to patients about
their alcohol consumption and to give them advice on responsible
drinking.”
NHS London Medical Director Dr Andy Mitchell said: “NHS London
is pleased to be able to support the reopening of the centre as it
saves time and money in a vital area of emergency care to ensure
even during this challenging times we can provide the best possible
service. While we know this eases pressure on the system we also
know this is not a solution to excessive drinking. We are working
with a number of NHS services across the capital to raise awareness
about the dangers of excessive drinking and the impact this can
have on Londoners’ health.”
There are plans for a similar facility in Romford.
Notes to editors
- The Soho alcohol recovery centre will be open on Friday and
Saturday nights from 24 February.
- It was open for 10 nights from 15 December to 1 January and
staff treated 180 patients.
Liverpool Street station treatment centre, run jointly with St John
Ambulance, was open for five nights in December and staff treated
99 patients, 49 of them were discharged without further treatment
in hospital.
- 274 patients, with only 55 of them taken to hospital, were
treated on New Year’s Eve in 13 treatment centres in central
London.
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