Get the party started and end it safely this Festive Season

by Hong Ling Dyer

New figures from the London Ambulance Service show that last December, 144 of 999 ambulance calls in Greenwich were alcohol related over the festive party season.

The unimaginable can happen after a few drinks as this young lady
 who fell over outside a nightsclub. (PhotoCredit: WINS and FAILS Facebook ).

This year NHS Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group are teaming up with the London Ambulance Service and the Mayor of London to encourage Londoners to plan ahead for a safe night out and help party-goers avoid a trip to A&E.

If you are attending your office party, remember to plan your journey home in advance.  The following important points may help.

a) Check the train times and only use licenced taxis.

b) Don’t just think about how to get there; think about what you are going to do when the party finishes.

c) Look after your friends and colleagues this year and stick to safer drinking levels. d) Put some extra thought and plans in place for a safer more enjoyable night out.

Other tips that may help include:

1) Having a meal before you head out - it can help slow down the absorption of alcohol, helping you stay in control.

2) Pace and space your drinking. Having a soft drink or water between alcoholic drinks slows down the rate of your drinking and means you’ll drink less over the course of the night.

3) Keep track of how much you are drinking, the NHS Change4Life free drinks tracker can help you keep track of how much you’re drinking and spending: http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/understanding-alcohol.aspx or

The unimaginable can happen after a few drinks as this young man
who got stuck in this photo. (PhotoCredit: WINS and FAILS Facebook ).

http://www.nhs.uk/Change4Life/Pages/drinks-tracker-mobile-app.aspx.

Six per cent (72,535) of all emergency calls received by the London Ambulance Service in December last year were alcohol related. As the festive party season approaches we are encouraging local people in Greenwich to plan their nights out in advance.

Local GP and Chair of NHS Greenwich CCG Dr Ellen Wright said: “The figures show too many people in Greenwich are ending their night in hospital because they’ve had too much to drink. While Christmas and New Year are a great time to go out with friends they shouldn’t finish in the back of an ambulance."

"We want Greenwich residents to have a safe and enjoyable night out this festive season. By sticking to safer drinking levels, planning journeys home and keeping an eye out for your friends everyone can have a safer and better night out.”

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Hong Ling Dyer is with the NHS South East Commissioning Support Unit.

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