Politicians have their say on problem figures

Politcians have said more needs to be done in Lanarkshire to tackle alcohol dependency in light of a shocking spike in hospital admissions.

This goes against a downturn nationally.

Monica Lennon MSP said: “Alcohol misuse continues to be a huge problem, affecting people from all backgrounds, and the high number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in NHS Lanarkshire is a cause for concern.

“Worryingly, the trend here is out of step with the majority of other health-boards and that raises concerns around the availability of support for individuals who have a problem with alcohol. Minimum Unit Pricing has an important part to play but SNP Ministers have been slow to put a wider package of measures in place. Our health service is struggling due to a lack of investment and alcohol and drug partnerships have had a tough few years due to the Scottish Government cutting their budgets.

“This is wrong because clearly more community-based treatment and support services for individuals and their families are badly needed.

“Scottish Labour has urged SNP Ministers to introduce a Social Responsibility Levy on the alcohol industry so that more investment can be put into communities that are hit hard by alcohol harm.”

Meanwhile Tory Graham Simpson said:“The fact that alcohol-related hospital stays have decreased nationwide except at NHS Lanarkshire is a real concern.

“There are no easy answers or solutions to this issue. Scotland has a well-documented problem with alcohol and Lanarkshire has always been particularly badly affected.

“Education is part of the answer but it will take years to take effect. Early treatment and prevention is also needed.

“We need to band together to tackle excessive alcohol consumption and go to the root of the cause such as isolation and loneliness.”

But East Kilbride SNP MSP, Linda Fabiani said:“It is fair to say Scotland has had a long and difficult relationship with alcohol, which is why the Scottish

Government fought for over six years to bring in minimum unit pricing. Evidence suggests it is the most effective and efficient means of tackling consumption of cheap, high-strength alcohol, which causes so much damage to so many families.

“That said, this report does raise important issues as to why Lanarkshire has bucked the national trend when it comes to hospital admission rates.

“I would be interested to see if we are doing all we can, and what improvements can be made to reduce these figures.”