Treating health issues related to alcohol abuse in northwest Birmingham costs the equivalent of £136 a year per resident, according to figures released earlier this month.
The Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust said it spends over £72m a year dealing with the alcohol-related health problems of the 530,000 people it looks after. The cost includes seeing around 300 patients each month.
“We work closely with local charities Swanswell and Change Grow and Live (CGL) to reduce admission to hospital due to alcohol abuse and provide support in outpatient settings. We are helping patients to reduce their intake or stop drinking alcohol completely,” said Arlene Copland, who leads alcohol nursing. ■
