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Hammersmith has capital's worst record for alcohol problems
Anna Davis18 Dec 2008
A WEST London borough has been identified as having the capital's worst problem with drinkers, figures reveal today.
Hammersmith and Fulham has London's highest number of alcohol-related deaths and second highest number of binge-drinkers.
According to the figures from the North West Public Health Observatory at Liverpool John Moores University, drinkers there put stress on local police and hospitals and have brought down the average life expectancy. Nationwide, Hammersmith and Fulham ranks sixth worst for alcohol-related disease after Manchester, Salford, Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Rochdale.
Dr Karen Tocque from the observatory, said: "Alcohol is putting a strain on the health service and the alcohol-related crime is having an effect on community cohesion and safety."
The figures also show that men in the borough die 14 months earlier and women five months earlier than average through excessive drinking.
Dr Tocque said: "We want the figures to shock people into thinking about what they are doing.
"Fourteen months may not sound very much, but when you realise the figure also includes all those people who do not drink, they become much more stark."
A spokesman for NHS Hammersmith and Fulham PCT said that the borough was trying to promote greater awareness of the harm alcohol can do and is developing services for drinkers, including an alcohol dependency unit in the new polyclinic at Charing Cross Hospital in Fulham Palace Road in April next year.
Today's figures also show that Lambeth has the most binge-drinkers and Newham has the most people admitted to hospital with alcohol-related problems.
The figures follow the busiest week London ambulance service has experienced in its history, responding to 20,030 emergencies in the seven days up to 14December - up eight per cent on the average of the previous four weeks.
A field hospital has already been set up to treat drunk City workers. A team of medics from London Ambulance Service are on call until 4am at the stretcher tent inside Liverpool Street Station throughout December.
Reader views (6)
Should it not be phrased 'the best problem' if they have the highest number? Also, shurely shome mishtake - wot about Camden?
- Real, London, 18/12/2008 23:27
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I feel I should share some of the blame for these figures.
- Paddy Hood, Hammersmith, 18/12/2008 16:06
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Anyone fancy a quick pint at The Dove?
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey, 18/12/2008 13:28
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That will probably explain why it's a great place for a pub crawl.
- Steve, London, 18/12/2008 12:53
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The Irish community in Hammersmith has always been noted for its high drinking, so why does this come as a surprise??
- Seamus, London, UK, 18/12/2008 12:27
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Maybe Hammersmith and Fulham should stop accepting and housing people with drink and drug dependacies from every other London Bourough.
- Mick, Hammersmith, 18/12/2008 11:09
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