Alcohol-related hospital admissions have fallen across Rochdale in the past year, latest figures reveal.
The borough saw 2,471 admissions per 100,000, a decrease of 9.6% – the biggest drop in Greater Manchester.
The latest statistics covered a range of diseases and accidents that relate to alcohol consumption as part of innovative projects run by a number of groups.
Councillor Sultan Ali, Cabinet Member for Strengthening Communities at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “These figures are very encouraging. Excessive alcohol consumption damages individuals and communities.
“By joining forces with our colleagues in the NHS we are piloting new ways of working which are translating into real results for the residents of this borough.”
Groups involved with the projects include the Pennine Acute Trust, Public Health, the local Clinic Commissioning Group and the Community Safety Partnership.
Rochdale was the first borough to introduce the ‘hospital to home’ detox programme, allowing patients on detox programmes to continue treatment at home with the help of community detox nurses.
The Pennine Acute Trust also supplied questionnaires on drinking habits; high scorers on the questionnaire were offered guidance from specialist nurses.
Unfortunately, while Rochdale enjoyed success, other areas of Greater Manchester endured rising rates of alcohol related hospital admissions.
Michelle Loughlin, Consultant in Public Health said: “Often, people with alcohol problems can end up in hospital as a result of wider social problems such as problems with debt, housing or a mental health issue. By supporting this group of people with those wider social problems, we have seen that we can reduce their chances of ending up back in hospital time and time again.”
The NHS recommends that men drink no more than three-four units of alcohol a day, while women are recommended to drink no more than two-three units of alcohol a day.
A 175ml glass of wine is around two units of alcohol while a pint of beer or cider is worth just under three units of alcohol.
If you want advice on drug or alcohol problems, call Renaissance 01706 924883 for free, confidential advice.
Picture courtesy of ShannonK, with thanks.
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