Almost half of Londoners are worried about effects of alcohol on their health

Almost half of all Londoners are concerned about the long-term health effects caused by the amount of alcohol they drink, according to a survey of people living in the city.

The Regional Public Health Group, together with the Greater London Authority, has published a report detailing the results of a survey of 7,500 Londoners, which questioned them about alcohol consumption and the consequences.

The survey found almost half of Londoners (48%) are concerned about the longterm health issues linked to how much alcohol they drink. The survey highlights how important GPs are in providing initial support for people seeking help for alcohol problems. However, one fifth (19%) of respondents did not know where to turn for help, a figure which was signifi cantly higher among people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and the 18-24-year-olds.

Dr Simon Tanner, Director of Public Health at NHS London, said: “We welcome this survey, which is the largest of its kind in London. It provides invaluable intelligence for local authorities as to how we can work together to tackle excessive drinking and its consequences, at a time when public health responsibilities move from PCTs to local government.”

Alcohol, with its links to violence, remains a public concern with almost three quarters (72%) of Londoners questioned feeling either quite or very concerned about alcohol-related crime and violence. The survey also found that many people feel local communities should have a larger role, with 51% of respondents believing that they could reduce local problems if involved in making decisions around managing alcohol issues.

Another finding of the survey was that more than half of the people questioned (52%) believe that employers should play a bigger role in providing access to advice on alcohol.

Will Tuckley, Chief Executive of London Borough of Bexley and Chair of the Alcohol Project Board, a workstream of the London Health Improvement Board, also welcomed the findings of the survey, saying: “There is no denying the health and societal consequences of alcohol misuse in local communities. However, what is missing from the debate is an understanding from the perspective of local residents and that is exactly what this survey has provided us with. As we move towards local authorities delivering key public health services it is critical that we understand the local issues and ensure that we use evidence to inform our local alcohol policies.”

The results of the survey follow the reopening of the Soho Alcohol Recovery Centre this weekend (February 24) which worked successfully over Christmas to provide an alternative to A & E for patients who have had too much to drink, while also freeing up A & E departments to deal with the most urgent cases. In December, staff at the centre treated around 180 patients who were taken there by response vehicles or ‘booze buses’. All patients have their blood pressure and sugar levels monitored while they sober up before they are discharged or family and friends are called to collect them. People are also given advice on drinking responsibly when they are discharged. The centre, which is run by London Ambulance Service and funded by NHS London, will operate for five further weekends from February 24.

Dr Tanner added: “We know the opening of the alcohol support centre will reduce pressure on A & E and beds within hospitals, but we know this is not a solution to the consequences of excessive drinking. We will be using these results to work with NHS services across the capital to fi nd ways to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive drinking, as well as signpost patients to the correct place to get the help and advice they need.”

The London Summary Report is supported by individual London borough analysis, and can be accessed at:

http://www.lho.org.uk/ LHO_Topics/Health_Topics/ Lifestyle_and_behaviour/ londondrinkdebate.aspx

This Report follows the publication of Closing time: counting the cost of alcoholattributable hospital admissions in London, published by the London Health Observatory, which provides estimates of the NHS inpatient resources used in treating patients whose alcohol use has contributed to their condition. This provides a basis for both pan-London comparison and local action. Both reports add to the evidence base in support of the London Health Improvement Board‘s (LHIB) priority to reduce the adverse impacts of alcohol on health.

The report can be accessed at:
http://www.lho.org.uk/ viewResource.aspx?id=17713