Finnie exposes true cost of binge drinking to NHS (Gordon Liberal Democrats)

Gordon Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Finnie exposes true cost of binge drinking to NHS

December 1, 2008 10:16 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP has exposed the true cost to the NHS of Scotland's drinking culture.

Government estimates, using last year's Health Service Costs, put the total cost to the NHS of emergency admissions due to alcohol abuse at £32.3 million. Today's figures suggest that this will increase by 13 per cent.

Commenting, Mr Finnie said:

"Previously, the Government had estimated that emergency admissions due to alcohol misuse cost the NHS around £32.2 million. Today's figures show that this is set to increase by 13 per cent to £36.6 million

"Today's figures also show what this £36.6 million could buy. It could increase funding to keep our hospitals clean by over a third, or admit over 12,500 new inpatients for surgery. It could fund almost half the drugs administered by the community health sector.

"Instead, money that could be spent treating and protecting patients is being diverted to cope with the immediate effect of Scotland's binge drinking culture.

"This is why it is so important to take action to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland."