Police should be deployed in A&E units and ambulances on Friday and Saturday nights to curb problems with binge drinkers, say NHS bosses and doctors.
Police should be deployed in A&E units and ambulances on Friday and Saturday nights to curb problems with binge drinkers, say NHS bosses and doctors.
They said rowdiness and abuse of staff by drunk patients was now so bad that front-line workers needed police help.
They said rowdiness and abuse of staff by drunk patients was now so bad that front-line workers needed police help.
Several schemes have already been set up that have seen police going out with paramedics and manning A&E units, but doctors and managers want to see more.
Several schemes have already been set up that have seen police going out with paramedics and manning A&E units, but doctors and managers want to see more.
Some 1m people are treated in A&E each year after weekend drinking sessions.
Some 1m people are treated in A&E each year after weekend drinking sessions.
The figures suggest 40% of all admissions during these two days are linked to alcohol, rising to 70% after midnight.
The figures suggest 40% of all admissions during these two days are linked to alcohol, rising to 70% after midnight.
TACKLING THE BOOZERS Yorkshire ambulance - Police have been accompanying crews on Friday and Saturday nights in Leeds, York and Hull. Drop in security incidents reportedWhiston Hospital (Merseyside) - Police have run dedicated patrols in A&E to combat violent attacksBolton Hospital - A&E unit has police room, which is staffed at peak times, with emphasis on weekends. Drinkers given fines for unruly behaviour
TACKLING THE BOOZERS Yorkshire ambulance - Police have been accompanying crews on Friday and Saturday nights in Leeds, York and Hull. Drop in security incidents reportedWhiston Hospital (Merseyside) - Police have run dedicated patrols in A&E to combat violent attacksBolton Hospital - A&E unit has police room, which is staffed at peak times, with emphasis on weekends. Drinkers given fines for unruly behaviour
The call for police assistance comes as large numbers of NHS staff report having been physically attacked.
The call for police assistance comes as large numbers of NHS staff report having been physically attacked.
Healthcare Commission statistics show that 13% of workers have experienced violence at the hands of patients or their relatives - a figure which rises to nearly a third among ambulance crews.
Healthcare Commission statistics show that 13% of workers have experienced violence at the hands of patients or their relatives - a figure which rises to nearly a third among ambulance crews.
Some police forces have been seeking to tackle this by getting officers to work alongside NHS staff.
Some police forces have been seeking to tackle this by getting officers to work alongside NHS staff.
In Yorkshire, police have been going out with ambulance crews in Leeds, Hull and York to help handle drunks.
In Yorkshire, police have been going out with ambulance crews in Leeds, Hull and York to help handle drunks.
Several hospitals have experimented with stationing police in A&E departments or including the unit as part of their patrols.
Several hospitals have experimented with stationing police in A&E departments or including the unit as part of their patrols.
Don MacKechnie, vice president of the College of Emergency Medicine, said: "This is a great idea. There are real problems on these nights, drunk patients put a real pressure on services. Staff are abused, people are getting into fights and rowdy groups disrupt the care of other patients.
Don MacKechnie, vice president of the College of Emergency Medicine, said: "This is a great idea. There are real problems on these nights, drunk patients put a real pressure on services. Staff are abused, people are getting into fights and rowdy groups disrupt the care of other patients.
"These people just do not respect the NHS and by having a visible police presence there it can act as a deterrent."
"These people just do not respect the NHS and by having a visible police presence there it can act as a deterrent."
Drinking
Drinking
David Stout, of the NHS Confederation, which represents health managers, said: "Ambulances and A&E are real flashpoints on Friday and Saturday nights.
David Stout, of the NHS Confederation, which represents health managers, said: "Ambulances and A&E are real flashpoints on Friday and Saturday nights.
"This might not be appropriate everywhere, but it is certainly a way to tackle the problems. It is a bit sad it has come to this, but I guess it says something about the way society is."
"This might not be appropriate everywhere, but it is certainly a way to tackle the problems. It is a bit sad it has come to this, but I guess it says something about the way society is."
But Mr Stout also said more preventative schemes should be employed, such as handing out water outside nightclubs to counter the effects of drinking.
But Mr Stout also said more preventative schemes should be employed, such as handing out water outside nightclubs to counter the effects of drinking.
The Department of Health has also welcomed the suggestion.
The Department of Health has also welcomed the suggestion.
Health minister Ben Bradshaw said: "NHS staff must be able to treat patients in a safe and secure environment."
Health minister Ben Bradshaw said: "NHS staff must be able to treat patients in a safe and secure environment."
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