Doctors’ fear spike in A&E attendances
DOCTORS across Wales fear more people will wind up in A&E with alcohol-related emergencies when pubs and bars start to reopen later this month.
The hospitality sector can welcome back customers to its outdoors spaces from July 13, providing cases of coronavirus continue to fall, says the Welsh Government.
But there are concerns this could lead to a spike in attendances to hospital emergency departments due to a predicted rise in drunken behaviour and alcohol-fulled violence.
Clinicians have also questioned how these establishments are going to maintain social distancing and strict hand hygiene rules to prevent a further spread of Covid-19.
Dr Viju Varadrajan, an anaesthetist at Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend, said: “We in Wales have been very lucky to have a low ‘R’ number, and all healthcare workers are immensely grateful to the public for the support shown to the NHS by clapping and, more importantly, behaving in a responsible manner.
“But now more than ever it is important to remember that Covid-19 is very much still out there.
“Whilst we all go to the pub to have a few drinks and socialise, social distancing needs to be in our heads all the time.
“Please don’t get plastered and land up in A&E as you would not only be doing a disservice to the NHS by utilising precious resources, but also put the vulnerable in our society at risk.”
Dr David Bailey, chairman of the British Medical Association’s (BMA) Welsh Council, said social drinking would prevent people from wearing face masks.
He said: “We understand the impact that lockdown has had on people’s health and well-being and how eager people are to return to some semblance of normal life, but this must be done sensibly.
“The concern is that if people consume alcohol, they’ll be less likely to follow social distancing guidelines.
“Again, we know that wearing face coverings can reduce the spread of the virus, especially when social distancing isn’t possible, but this will be more difficult, and likely ineffective, in an environment where you’re having to constantly remove it.
“The Welsh Government must take every measure to support the public and employers in stopping the spread of the virus, providing clear advice on how pubs can ensure the safety of its customers and employees.
“I’d urge people to use their common sense and to continue to be cautious. Now is not the time to be complacent and the reopening of pubs does not mean there is no threat.”
A spokeswoman for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said the University Hospital of Wales had seen a “significant drop” in demand during the Covid-19 crisis, but warned it was starting to increase again.
She said: “The team in the emergency unit are working hard to provide emergency care and maintain the safety of those people who do need to attend.
“We know that alcohol consumption plays a significant part in many emergency unit attendances. Therefore, we advise people to drink responsibly and access emergency care appropriately to keep themselves safe and ensure that our staff are best able to deliver care to those most in need.”
A survey by the charity Alcohol Change UK found that around one in five people who drink are planning to go to the pub within two weeks of their local reopening.
Andrew Misell, Alcohol Change UK’s director for Wales, said: “The lockdown has meant much greater social isolation for many of us, and any opportunity to get out and see more people is bound to be welcomed.
“That said, there are obvious worries that, after so long without a chance to go out to for a drink, some of us will overdo it when we finally get there.
“There is also a worry that once we’ve lost some of our inhibitions after a couple of pints, we’ll be a lot less bothered about keeping a safe distance from fellow drinkers. More seriously, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have warned of the risk of a surge in demand on A&E units if drinking gets out of hand.”