Rise in Hospital Admissions Since 24 Hour Drinking Introduced
Despite the many warnings on alcohol abuse and the rise in related crime the admission of hospitals has quadrupled in some areas since the introduction of 24 hours drinking.
A massive increase for alcohol related illnesses at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool shows a 242 per cent rise and this is a hospital that only treats those under 16!
The Government’s official review of the impact of the new laws was published last month but many such results similar to the Alder Hey hospital did not feature in the report. It merely claimed that the burden on the Health Service was “stable”.
Ministers claimed two years ago that round-the-clock drinking would usher in a “continental-style” culture and better behaviour while police chiefs, medical experts and judges warned that it was a recipe for disaster.
A rise of 26 per cent from 128,342 in 2004-5 to 162.080 last year has been shown in 258 NHS trusts within England with the largest increase shown by Mersey Care Trust. Cases at the Mersey Care Trust soared from 203 to 847 with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells close behind with a joint admission figure leaping from 280 to 1,066.
Alder Hey hospital was third with a rise from 57 to 195 and a spokesperson for the trust said “the increase was simply down to ‘drunk children’ where almost three quarters of them were girls.
It was added “They are children who most likely have passed out. They are normally brought in by their friends – very few come with their parents. And it is usually on Friday and Saturday nights”.
In fact, the total number of patients turning up at hospitals with alcohol-related injuries or diseases rose by a quarter between 2005 and 2007. This overall rise conceals far more dramatic increases in some areas.
Alcohol-Related Crime Rate has Risen
Police have condemned Labour’s law on 24-hour drinking as new figures show officers having to deal with thousands of extra alcohol related crimes each month since the restrictions on drinking were relaxed.
Out of the 42 forces in England and Wales, 16 of these forces have reported a five per cent rise in harassment and criminal damage crimes that are alcohol related. Many other forces are experiencing a large increase in incidents since November 2005 when the law change was introduced.
Alcohol-related anti-social incidents have been kept in detail by 12 forces and these have shown an overall increase of 4,300 (or 46 per cent) to 13,500 in one month alone. This would amount to a staggering amount of 180,000 extra crimes being committed across England and Wales if these figurines were repeated.
Maybe its time for the Politicians to review the 24 hour drinking law! Think more towards the health and well being of the population instead of extra taxes the sale on alcohol brings!!