The stark message comes as new figures show there were 11,400 booze-related hospital admissions in the district in the past 12 months.
The totals for 2008/9 are more than 600 up on the previous year, according to the Department of Health.

And they cast central Lancashire as one of the country's 'sick men' with the 12th highest admissions total in the country out of more than 150 PCT areas.

Campaigners at the Portman Group believe alcohol consumption across the country is falling – meaning the admissions could be down to a growing group of 'problem' drinkers.

Chief executive David Poley said: "It is alarming that alcohol harm is growing despite a significant fall in the amount that the nation is drinking.

"The Government estimates that seven percent of the population consume one-third of the alcohol sold in this country. We need to influence this heavy drinking minority through better education and effective law enforcement."

Risk

In total, there were 11,467 alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in the central Lancashire area in 2008/9 – 8% of all the admissions that year.

Andrew Ascroft, public health associate for NHS Central Lancashire, said: "When alcohol is misused it can have a major impact on the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities.

"NHS Central Lancashire is aware that alcohol-related hospital admissions are increasing across all areas of central Lancashire.

"Health problems associated with alcohol that can result in individuals being admitted to hospital are numerous and range from increased risk of hypertensive diseases, mental health problems and liver disease to increased risk of accidental falls, injuries and violence.

"NHS Central Lancashire has identified reducing rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions as a priority and is currently working in partnership with Lancashire Drug Alcohol Action Team to modernise substance misuse services commissioned across central Lancashire.

"In order to reduce levels of alcohol-related harm NHS Central Lancashire also works with a range of other organisations to prevent alcohol-related problems occurring, and to address them when they do."


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