Alcohol service helps save NHS £1.5m

A HOSPITAL service has saved the NHS an estimated £1.5m in four years by reducing the number of alcohol-related admissions.

NHS bosses have praised the Alcohol Liaison Service (ALS) at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield after admissions fell by 34 per cent between 2013-14 and 2016-17.

The specialist team provides advice on safe drinking and clinical detox and helps patients manage alcohol-related conditions, as well as guiding people to counselling services.

The service is commissioned by the public health team at Wakefield Council and is delivered by community interest company Spectrum Community Health.

Spectrum chief executive Dr Linda Harris said: “For some patients who drink at harmful levels, being admitted to hospital can be a stressful experience and might be the first time they have realised that alcohol is damaging their health.

“The ALS provides focused, consistent one-to-one care to manage these concerns and help patients access long-term support.

“We are pleased to see that the work of the ALS has resulted in a steady decrease in the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in recent years.”

Health bosses said that while progress had been made, there had been no change in the number of admissions for alcoholic liver disease.