Stepping Hill A&E alcohol admissions up 15% in last two years

12.28.24pm GMT Thu 21st Jan 2010

Mark with Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg at Stepping Hill Hospital on their recent visit

Research into new Government figures has shown that alcohol-related A&E admissions in Stockport have risen by 15% in last two years. Local MP Mark Hunter has expressed great concern over the findings, which come just days after the revelation that over the last five years the amount of alcohol-related hospital admissions in the North West has risen by 42%.

'08-'09 figures show that 3,325 people were admitted to A&E at Stepping Hill for alcohol-related conditions. This is a sharp rise on last year ('07-08: 3,071) and the year before ('06-'07: 2,895).

Commenting, Mark said:

"Our local hospital that we are all so proud of is being stretched. Binge-drinking is threatening our hospital services. The Government must act now to ensure this culture is curbed."

Commenting on related figures last week, Mark said:

"Booze Britain is out of control. The Government have spent the last thirteen years dilly-dallying over action on alcohol misuse and the consequences of their do-nothing approach are now tragically clear.

"Our already stretched emergency services are facing more and more pressure from binge drinkers meaning that there is less time and money available for tackling crime and providing sound healthcare.

"Britain's drinking culture needs to be drastically changed to end the huge rise in serious alcohol-related problems - it is clear that the Government's inaction is making things much worse.

"Action is needed now to prevent alcohol being sold in our supermarkets at pocket-money prices."