 Staff say they deal with 350 binge drinkers each weekend |
Hospital bosses are warning they will "name and shame" bars and clubs that continue to serve drunks, who then turn up at accident and emergency units. Every weekend 350 binge drinkers go to the casualty department at Birmingham City Hospital, a survey has revealed.
One-third of those have collapsed through excessive drinking and many others have been in fights. One in 10 people are admitted for treatment.
Now the hospital is hitting back and warning licensees to act responsibly.
'Change your life'
Dr Jacky Chambers, Director of Public Health for Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT), which covers the city centre's entertainment district, said: "Some of the injuries that we see to the eyes and face are terrible and leave young people disfigured or maimed for life.
"No-one should ever get so drunk and out of control that they harm themselves or others."
She said they depended on the bars that sell alcohol and the people who drink in them behaving sensibly.
"We will not hesitate to name and shame any bar or club which is turning out drunks who then show up in our Accident and Emergency Department," she said.
"They must train staff and actively manage their drinking environments. We shall report such bars to the licensing authorities and the police."
'Cleaning the area up'
Dr Carl Griffin, the public health specialist whose research led to the findings, said: "The more you drink the more likely you are to spend some time in hospital over Christmas and New Year - it's as simple as that."
Ch Supt Peter Goodman, police commander at Birmingham Central operational command unit, said officers have been working with the licensees, taxi associations and residents on Broad Street to take measures to stamp out anti-social behaviour.
And Clive Richie, licensee of the Brasshouse on Broad Street, said: "I do not think there is a problem, and the licensees and police on Broad Street have got together with Pubwatch.
"We are really cracking down on underage drinkers, drunks drinking and cleaning the whole area up.
"Why people want to keep knocking Broad Street I don't know."
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No-one should ever get so drunk and out of control that they harm themselves or others 
