GETTY - STOCK NHS bosses will set up 'drunk tanks' to keep intoxicated revellers away

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Under the proposals, drunk people considered to be a danger to themselves will be placed in Alcohol Recovery Centres to sober up instead of A&E departments or police cells. Some cities, such as Newcastle upon Tyne, Bristol and Cardiff, have already successfully rolled out the scheme and it could be extended to other regions. NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said those planning New Year’s Eve celebrations should remember that “NHS doesn’t stand for ‘National Hangover Service”’.

GETTY - STOCK Binge-drinking puts a huge-strain on A&E departments and ambulance services

NHS doesn’t stand for ‘National Hangover Service' Simon Stevens

He described the huge strain which binge-drinking puts on A&E departments and ambulance services. Mr Stevens said: “When the health service is pulling out all the stops to care for sick and vulnerable patients who genuinely need our support, it’s frankly selfish when ambulance paramedics and A&E nurses have to be diverted to looking after revellers who have overindulged and who just need somewhere to safely sleep it off. “Having been out with ambulance crews on night shifts in London and the West Midlands, I’ve seen first-hand how paramedics and A&Es are called on to deal with drunk and often aggressive people.”

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