Alcohol abuse costly to Birmingham and Sandwell NHS

According to recently released data, the annual cost to the NHS for alcohol abuse in Birmingham and Sandwell is £72.1m.

Each month, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust (SWBH) treats about 300 patients for some type of alcohol abuse.

The Trust released the figures during Alcohol Awareness Week, the theme for which focused on encouraging people to consider the effects of alcohol abuse on their families.

The SWBH is collaborating with local charities Swanswell and Change Grow and Live (CGL) to organise activities at Sandwell and City Hospitals, increasing awareness of the impacts of alcohol abuse on patients, visitors, and staff. Activities include drink-tasting sessions where participants can try non-alcoholic wine and cider, and take tests on impacts of excessive alcohol consumption. Participants can also wear beer goggles, which simulate the effects of being drunk.

Arlene Copland, the Lead Alcohol Specialist Nurse from SWBH, said, “We see a startling number of patients coming into our emergency departments who need help to control their alcohol intake. But what they don’t realise is drinking too much can lead to a number of serious health problems, such as liver disease, cancer, fertility issue, stomach ulcers, raised blood pressure, stroke and dementia. It’s important that everyone knows what their limits are. National guidelines recommend that both males and females do not drink more than 14 units per week.”

She added, “We work closely with local charities Swanswell and Change Grow and Live (CGL) to reduce admission to hospital due to alcohol abuse and provide support in outpatient settings. We are helping patients to reduce their intake or stop drinking alcohol completely.”