NHS South East London unveils plan to tackle alcohol harm
NHS South East London (NHS SE London) is set to take action against the growing public health impact of alcohol, following a new report outlining measures to improve treatment, reduce harm, and alleviate costs on health and care services.
We’re facing a significant public health crisis due to alcohol-related harm, with approximately 1,500 deaths annually in London linked to alcohol. From 2019-22, there was a 27% rise in alcohol-attributable deaths in south east London and the societal cost of these harms is estimated at £902.5 million, equating to £504 per resident.
In response, NHS SE London commissioned a report and toolkit from the Institute of Alcohol Studies to identify ways to reduce the scale of these harms. Key recommendations from the report include:
• enabling a pan-London Minimum Unit Price (MUP) for alcohol;
• prohibiting advertising of alcohol in local authority owned spaces;
• better regulating availability in premises and retailers, and at certain times of the day;
• reducing the availability of low cost, high strength beers, lagers and ciders;
• making alcohol screening routine across the population; and
• maintaining and improving the quality of alcohol treatment services.
A city-wide MUP of between 50p and 70p (adjusted for inflation) could save between 33 and 149 lives annually, however the focus of the report is on local actions that can be implemented without the need for national legislation.
Dr Emily Finch, Clinical Director, Southwark and Addictions, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This report offers a set of ambitious but achievable measures for our local authorities, healthcare providers, and community leaders to address the root causes of risky alcohol use and make a real difference to the health of our residents.”
Jane Connor, Public Health Adviser, NHS SE London and King’s Health Partners Vital 5 programme, said: “We envision a south east London where the harms of alcohol are significantly reduced, where communities are safer, and where health and wellbeing are prioritised over the economic interests of the alcohol industry. The launch of this report provides the first steps towards achieving this goal.”
Explore the full report to learn more about how we can tackle alcohol harm in south east London. If you’re a healthcare professional and would like to start introducing the measures outlined in the report, then please view and download our toolkit.
Excessive drinking plays a major role in a range of serious health problems and impacts both our mental and physical wellbeing. If you’re looking for support to drink more safely or want to learn about available services, visit our page for helpful resources and advice.