Statement on Sir Liam Donaldson’s comments on alcohol reduction

Steve Barnett, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:

“The NHS has had to deal with a growing number of admissions linked to alcohol over the last ten years. This puts pressure on the whole system, from acute units dealing with the diseases caused by drinking through to ambulance crews handling the aftermath of the drinking culture, particular on Friday and Saturday nights.

“The impact on the health service is considerable especially when the £2.7 billion cost of alcohol related disease and injury to the NHS is considered and this is only likely to increase unless alcohol consumption is reduced.  Excessive drinking is also more often than not a factor in incidents of abuse and assault against NHS employees.

“There needs to be a joined-up approach to national policy making and an increase in community support for alcohol dependence to take the pressure off hospitals and other NHS organisations which are already dealing with the consequences of alcohol misuse. “