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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

The need for an ambulance field hospital for city worker drunks?

30 replies

gingerbreadlatte · 19/12/2009 19:36

There has been a field hospital set up at Liverpool Street Station to deal with the city workers who are ill from drinking to save he ringing 999 and diverting ambulances from proper emergencies.

It's a great idea to avoid wasting ambulances and Im sure really saves a lot of people from trouble and illness BUT AIBU to think its disgusting that its actually needed? Cant people go out and moderate their drinking? This thing is aimed at grown adults who have been to office parties. Not even young students who dont know any better.

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 19/12/2009 19:38

Yep, it is disgusting that this is necessary.

Alcohol abuse seems completely acceptable in this country.

Janos · 19/12/2009 19:44

I agree. It's really pathetic that people equate drinking themselves into stupor with having a good time.

The drinking culture in this country is all wrong.

sherby · 19/12/2009 19:46

please see my link from this morning, still bloody angry about this crap

Janos · 19/12/2009 19:53

FFS sherby, not surprised you're steaming!

Where to start with that article?

Original poster
gingerbreadlatte · 19/12/2009 19:57

Thats ridiculous. Cant people take responsibility for themselves? Also, assume women go out drinking too. Who will tell them to "stay under control"?

OP posts:
sherby · 19/12/2009 19:59

am thinking of sending DH out with some emergency money sewn into his pocket

Janos · 19/12/2009 20:04

Maybe you should sew some mittens into his jacket at the same time sherby, in case his hands get cold?

sherby · 19/12/2009 20:14

I have told him to be home before 9, hopefully it won't be to cold by then but it is worth considering

jeep · 19/12/2009 20:16

i know someone who works privately as a paramedic for clubs, it's a good idea as the clubs pay for the service

donkeyderby · 20/12/2009 00:28

People who cost the NHS money due to binge drinking should pay for their treatment or be prosecuted after the third time they require medical treatment. Maybe?

Mishy1234 · 20/12/2009 08:23

A good idea to keep them from overloading the emergency services. Agree that it's pretty disgusting that they need it at all though.

I think someone other than the NHS should be paying for it. Be it the clubs as jeep as said or the individuals themselves.

nellynaemates · 20/12/2009 10:08

But what if they drunk the same as they normally would but for some reason it really affected them? (Sometimes happens) What if someone spiked/just added extra alcohol to their drinks?

The fact is you can't assign medical treatment by first determining who's to blame. It just doesn't work that way.

In many, many medical scenarios the patient will be ultimately to blame as the condition is a result of some kind of behaviour. Binge drinking is an extreme and short term example. I think things like this field hospital are a great idea, although it is a pity that they are needed.

I have to say I'm typing from a kind of devil's advocate perspective because I do think that there are a lot of idiots who need a kick up the arse for their behaviour when out drinking but I don't think we can separate them entirely from the rest of the patients who need the health service.

Original poster
gingerbreadlatte · 21/12/2009 08:35

Nelly- people you describe "victims" should get proper ambulance/ hospital care.

I cannot tolerate drinkers who cant control themselves. Its disgusting.

And why is it all so much more OK to get drunk at christmas?

OP posts:
MIFLAW · 21/12/2009 11:20

You are spot on.

I think we should also go one further and leave street drinkers to die in the ice as they don't even have a smart suit on.

VirginPeachyMotherOfSpod · 21/12/2009 11:29

I would be disgusted by the refusal of treatment and the good news in my city is that admissions last Friday for dirnks related injuries dropped fromlast year, we are one of the worst areas in our country for this and our hospital has just had to put in place CCTV.

There are so many reasons one can get too drunk though- I've had drinks spiked in the past as 'a joke' (didn't need hospital but would have ahd DH not ben there). Similarly people go on to parties having not eaten, and don't realise the results of that.

There should be a consequence- i'd suggest compulsory trip to an alcoholawarenessclass in the way that people who spedd are given the chance sometimes of that other than a fine. Refusers should be fined for being D&D.

husbandforsale · 21/12/2009 11:38

virgin - thats good news for your city.

There is a big difference between getting a drink spiked (awful - sorry you experienced this) and someone setting out to get "hammered" and then being so drunk they cant get home or walk without being sick over themselves.

Agree there are lots of reasons people get too drunk. Not eating is one - but surely this is only an excuse for teenagers who havent drunk much before and dont know any better. But I really dont think this can be used as an excuse for educated city workers (which is who this thread is aimed at) who are likely to be experienced in many walks of life including the fact that if you drink on an empty stomach = bad news.

People should take responsibility for themselves and my issue is that people clearly dont if there is a need to set up a field hospital to deal with these people. Wonder how much its costing the NHS?

Drinking to excess is another form of greed.

MIFLAW · 21/12/2009 12:50

"But I really dont think this can be used as an excuse for educated city workers (which is who this thread is aimed at) who are likely to be experienced in many walks of life including the fact that if you drink on an empty stomach = bad news."

Of course - because it is unimaginable that an "educated city worker" could have an undiagnosed drink problem. Clearly, with all their "education", logic will prevail over mental illness.

Tramps, on the other hand, are too stupid to know better. Probably didn't go to the right universities.

Heqet · 21/12/2009 12:55

I don't see what is so great about getting drunk.

you spend lots of money
You make a total fool of yourself
Your judgement is impaired so you tend to make stupid choices
You probably throw up
You wake up the next day feeling like someone has taken a dump in your mouth and little men in rugby boots are stamping on your eyeballs, AND you feel like someone has taken a white hot poker, rammed it up your nostril and liquidised your brain.
And to top it all, you have forgotten 3/4 of the night before anyway!

What's the point?

sarah293 · 21/12/2009 12:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Heqet · 21/12/2009 13:00

I agree, Riven.

The times I have heard

"Oh, har har har, last nite were great! I got 'ammered. I were proper pissed, har har har, and I pulled some bloke and giv-im a blow job beyind the club. I phrew up everyweir har har har and give that slapper Betty a reet slap in't chippy an-all. Fuckin great niyte.

mmmmm, lovely.

sarah293 · 21/12/2009 13:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ilovemydogandmrobama · 21/12/2009 13:09

When we last had to call out ambulance for DS, the paramedic was saying we were lucky they were so close and had just picked up a few drunks. Asked him if he minded, people getting so intoxicated and calling an ambulance. He said, 'not really -- it's my heritage, getting drunk on the weekend'

SerenityNowAKABleh · 21/12/2009 13:30

OP, you do realise it's not just City Workers who get drunk, right? They also had special ambulances around Soho area on Friday because of all the increased drinking. Soho's near all the Meeja types, so why no thread about Meeja workers? and come on, with all this "you bastards!" type attitude in the press and constant pressure to meet targets etc. at work, there are times when getting totally off your face to forget it all is VERY tempting. We were one of the few teams who had a party last year, but the day before they had announced literally hundreds of redundancies in the department. The party was anarchy (also, very little food, tons of alcohol, lots of VERY depressed/pissed off people)

I also don't really get the drink til you're completely hammered and as a fabulous way to spend a night. But, I had to be taught how to drink by a friend (she's not British, and taught me that it is possible to have a drink and enjoy yourself without getting to the puking stage). It was a revelation, but bizarrely, most people in the UK don't get that.

sb6699 · 21/12/2009 13:36

I'm sure I read they are setting up one of these in Cambridge as well.

My friend is a nurse and I have posted on here before how on Friday/Saturday 95% of the people she sees are drunk. She is constantly abused by these people and is totally pissed off with it.

I think it would be a good idea to charge for NHS treatment. Maybe a one off then if it happens again you are charged.

Why should these people be taking away valuable resources from others just because they are irresponsible.

VirginPeachyMotherOfSpod · 21/12/2009 13:46

'There is a big difference between getting a drink spiked (awful - sorry you experienced this) and someone setting out to get "hammered" and then being so drunk they cant get home or walk without being sick over themselves.'

Well I agree, but I am not sure you can sitsomeone possibly comatose down in the assessmenta rea and determine what led to them getting so drunk.

I do think some people, as the other poster said, don't realise that you can have a few and not keep going. Which is why I prefer the idea of choosing between a fine and 'educational' option (nothing nice,cold hard stats, meet the victim sessions, RL tales etc) is better than refusal of treatment.

I am quite interested that this is seen asa new thing BTW, in the town I grew up in (W ?C,big drinks problem) I clearly remember ambulances being set up in town on random nights fordrinkers and alcohol
problems,that must have been 20 years ago.