A&E patients get alcohol advice

Alcohol is a factor in many admissions to A&E

People suspected of misusing alcohol when they attend a hospital A&E department are to be advised on the dangers of excess drinking.

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital A&E department will screen patients for evidence of harmful drinking.

It involves asking four questions that allow staff to establish how much someone is drinking and to offer help.

The hospital said it was not about making judgements or being critical but helping someone who may have a problem.

National research in 2004 showed alcohol was a factor in 40% of A&E attendances rising to 70% on Friday and Saturday nights.

'Binge drinkers'

The new screening tool being used is the Paddington Alcohol Test (PAT), first developed at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London.

If people are PAT positive, they will be given an information leaflet and offered a follow-up appointment with the substance misuse nurses.

Julia France, who helped develop the system at the Norwich hospital, said: "The screening is designed to pick up those people who might be termed binge drinkers.

"It is not about making judgements or being critical but about helping someone realise there may be a problem and offering support to deal with it."