“Alcohol dependency leaves a scar on many people’s lives," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary.
Commenting on the release today of the NHS Confederation & Royal College of Physicians report on alcohol, Too much of the hard stuff: what alcohol costs the NHS, Norman Lamb said:
“Most of us enjoy a drink over the Christmas and New Year period but this is a sobering reminder of the impact that alcohol misuse is having on the NHS.
“Alcohol dependency leaves a scar on many people’s lives but this report makes clear that treatment is often not available to those who need it.
“Many hospitals are still not equipped to make sure that people with drinking problems are identified early on. Every hospital needs a specialist alcohol worker who is able to provide people with help and support at an early stage.
“Ministers have shown a complete lack of leadership on this issue. They should take the advice of their own Chief Medical Officer and introduce a minimum price for alcohol.”
Liberal Democrats