ROLL OUT THE DRUNK TANKS
Recovery units to take pressure off creaking A&E
DRUNK tanks could be rolled out across the country to allow boozed-up revellers to dry out away from packed A&E wards.
NHS boss Simon Stevens will today announce plans for the mobile units to be routinely used to take pressure off struggling hospitals.
NHS England will decide whether to introduce the move next year based on the level of drunken behaviour among millions of partygoers on New Year’s Eve this weekend.
Research is currently being carried out on their effectiveness and the tanks could eventually be introduced in busy nightlife spots all year round.
Mr Stevens said: “When the health service is pulling out all the stops to care for sick and vulnerable patients who rightly and genuinely need our support, it’s frankly selfish when ambulance paramedics and A&E nurses have to be diverted to looking after revellers who have overindulged and who just need somewhere to safely sleep it off.
“NHS doesn’t stand for National Hangover Service but, in the run-up to Christmas, having been out with ambulance crews on night shifts in London and the West Midlands, I’ve seen first-hand how paramedics and A&Es are being called on to deal with drunk and often aggressive people.” Some cities, such as Newcastle, Bristol, Manchester and Cardiff ,are piloting the units, where people can be sent to sober up under the supervision of a nurse or paramedic.
The scheme in Cardiff led to a cut in both A&E waiting times and aggressive behaviour towards staff.
Andrew Misell, of Alcohol Concern, said: “City centre alcohol treatment points are a great idea.”