Media information
For immediate release

Date: 24 February 2011

Waikato DHB Has Its Say On Alcohol Issues

Waikato District Health Board has identified resources used in the treatment of alcohol related conditions as taking away from resources which would be better used in other areas such as addressing health targets.

The organisation submitted its feedback on the Alcohol Reform Bill last week and its Community and Public Health Advisory Committee was yesterday presented with the submission.

“The message from Waikato DHB in its submission is loud and clear that resources spent on dealing with alcohol related health conditions are a waste of time and money for both the organisation and those to whom it’s accountable,” said Waikato DHB medical officer of health Felicity Dumble.

“Alcohol misuse has a significant impact on the health sector and New Zealand as a whole.”

The submission outlines direct impacts on health providers as being:

• The need to roster extra staff on weekends and holiday periods in the Emergency Department
• The need for an increased security presence especially on weekends and holiday periods
• The need for additional blood products to be available
• Resources used in the treatment of alcohol related conditions mean these resources are not available to be spent in other areas (like shorter stays in emergency departments, improved access to elective services, shorter waits for cancer treatments, better help for smokers to quit, increased immunisation and better diabetes and cardiovascular disease services)
• Inefficient allocation of time used by the cumbersome evidential blood alcohol process
• A frustrating and unpleasant work environment

Of the submission, Dr Dumble said, “Waikato DHB shares the grave concerns about alcohol harm that have been expressed throughout the review process especially at the ways in which these harms are experienced throughout its many services and communities.

“In particular, the organisation applauds the urgency with which the Minister of Justice has approached the alcohol issue and is of the view that the Bill, once law, can represent a significant step forward in addressing alcohol issues.”

Sections of the Bill that the DHB fed back on included age of purchase, supply to minors, trading hours, local alcohol policies, reporting and consultation, promotion of alcohol, banned and restricted alcohol products and liquor bans.

In addition, Waikato DHB made comment on its support for excise tax on alcohol, a ban on liquor advertising and zero tolerance for ‘public drunkenness’.

The full submission can be read at http://www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/page/pageid/2145839693/Liquor_Licensing

ENDS