A&E drunks get blasted by Bosworth MP
BOSWORTH’S MP has criticised revellers who clog casualty during the busiest time of the year for hospitals.
During a debate on the NHS in the House of Commons, Tory MP David Tredinnick said drunks were a hindrance to emergency doctors.
He also highlighted the need to address capacity issues with effective signposting and more widespread uptake of the 111 telephone service.
Addressing health minister Philip Dunne, the long-standing MP said: “Will the minister congratulate the doctors and healthcare workers of Leicestershire on their excellent work over Christmas but recognise that the problems of A&E are not just about the supply of services, but about trying to reduce demand through triage, the involvement of the 111 service at A&Es and dealing with drunks who are abusing the old doctrine of a service free at the point of delivery?”
Mr Dunne agreed with Mr Tredinnick, saying: “I am very pleased to respond to my hon. Friend on a subject that is not always at the forefront of his mind. He is absolutely right to highlight the abuse of the health service by certain people - revellers - who turn up at hospitals in an unfit state to be treated. In some places, we have introduced holding areas to ensure that they do not disrupt the work of the hospital.”
The discussion comes as hospitals across the country, including those serving Hinckley and Bosworth, see record admissions, forcing the cancellation of routine operations and pleas for families to take relatives home as soon as possible.