Should ambulances have to deal with drunks?
13 December 2011, 01:06 PM
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Should ambulances have to deal with drunks?
Some ambulance services have booze buses designed to carry and treat drunk people, is this right , or shameful?
Just looking at some of the pictures of the LAS's recent adventures in London, and it makes me quite mad.
Just looking at some of the pictures of the LAS's recent adventures in London, and it makes me quite mad.
13 December 2011, 01:29 PM
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I suppose the NHS is part funded by the tax on booze so I guess the answer should be yes!
13 December 2011, 01:42 PM
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lol have you just taken that reply from my facebook.
Ok, example of what I mean.
3 people go out one night, one smokes 60 ****, one eats way too much McDonalds and the third gets completely wasted.
On the night, which is most likely to require medical attention because of THEIR actions? And is that right? More importantly, is it right that some people expect such fallbacks to be there.
Im not aware of an NHS fatties ambulance or smokers ambulance.
Ok, example of what I mean.
3 people go out one night, one smokes 60 ****, one eats way too much McDonalds and the third gets completely wasted.
On the night, which is most likely to require medical attention because of THEIR actions? And is that right? More importantly, is it right that some people expect such fallbacks to be there.
Im not aware of an NHS fatties ambulance or smokers ambulance.
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13 December 2011, 05:11 PM
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You've got to think it's all getting out of hand though? I like a drink and in the old days have had a few sessions where how I got home has been a bit vague the morning after and/or I've been quite sick as a result but I never had to get medical attention for it. Back in my Uni days the group I hung around with could also put it away and enjoyed a night out but again nobody ever required an ambulance!
Just seems that now days it's the done thing to down a bottle of Vodka before even leaving the house and then expect someone else to pick up the pieces later
Just seems that now days it's the done thing to down a bottle of Vodka before even leaving the house and then expect someone else to pick up the pieces later
13 December 2011, 06:09 PM
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We used to drink vodka before going out helped is get in the mood as going into town sober is crap and get fed up of queuing for drinks, when I was pissed I didn't care 
But Never once needed medical help
But Never once needed medical help
13 December 2011, 06:22 PM
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13 December 2011, 06:53 PM
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Aspiration, hypoglycaemia and subdural haemorrhage are the nightmare to miss in a binge alcohol abuser, whether you're a paramedic, doctor, police officer etc. Aside from this I would like to lock them all up and throw them in a cell overnight with a £1000 fine the next day in court.
A little time spent in A/E on a Saturday night makes you realise what a dangerous waste of space binge alcohol abusers are. When you are elderly and have a fracture or a major cardiorespiratory illness, having an idiot like this in the next cubicle throwing their 15 stone around whilst they occupy the doctor and nurses that should be treating you is plain frightening and not something any of us should have to put up with in old age. For most it isn't even an illness, just a very weak character and a very odd mainly British phenomenon.
A little time spent in A/E on a Saturday night makes you realise what a dangerous waste of space binge alcohol abusers are. When you are elderly and have a fracture or a major cardiorespiratory illness, having an idiot like this in the next cubicle throwing their 15 stone around whilst they occupy the doctor and nurses that should be treating you is plain frightening and not something any of us should have to put up with in old age. For most it isn't even an illness, just a very weak character and a very odd mainly British phenomenon.
13 December 2011, 07:00 PM
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Aspiration, hypoglycaemia and subdural haemorrhage are the nightmare to miss in a binge alcohol abuser, whether you're a paramedic, doctor, police officer etc. Aside from this I would like to lock them all up and throw them in a cell overnight with a £1000 fine the next day in court.
A little time spent in A/E on a Saturday night makes you realise what a dangerous waste of space binge alcohol abusers are. When you are elderly and have a fracture or a major cardiorespiratory illness, having an idiot like this in the next cubicle throwing their 15 stone around whilst they occupy the doctor and nurses that should be treating you is plain frightening and not something any of us should have to put up with in old age. For most it isn't even an illness, just a very weak character and a very odd mainly British phenomenon.
A little time spent in A/E on a Saturday night makes you realise what a dangerous waste of space binge alcohol abusers are. When you are elderly and have a fracture or a major cardiorespiratory illness, having an idiot like this in the next cubicle throwing their 15 stone around whilst they occupy the doctor and nurses that should be treating you is plain frightening and not something any of us should have to put up with in old age. For most it isn't even an illness, just a very weak character and a very odd mainly British phenomenon.
13 December 2011, 09:19 PM
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Aspiration, hypoglycaemia and subdural haemorrhage are the nightmare to miss in a binge alcohol abuser, whether you're a paramedic, doctor, police officer etc. Aside from this I would like to lock them all up and throw them in a cell overnight with a £1000 fine the next day in court.
A little time spent in A/E on a Saturday night makes you realise what a dangerous waste of space binge alcohol abusers are. When you are elderly and have a fracture or a major cardiorespiratory illness, having an idiot like this in the next cubicle throwing their 15 stone around whilst they occupy the doctor and nurses that should be treating you is plain frightening and not something any of us should have to put up with in old age. For most it isn't even an illness, just a very weak character and a very odd mainly British phenomenon.
A little time spent in A/E on a Saturday night makes you realise what a dangerous waste of space binge alcohol abusers are. When you are elderly and have a fracture or a major cardiorespiratory illness, having an idiot like this in the next cubicle throwing their 15 stone around whilst they occupy the doctor and nurses that should be treating you is plain frightening and not something any of us should have to put up with in old age. For most it isn't even an illness, just a very weak character and a very odd mainly British phenomenon.
My feelings exactly.
As for the other examples given, personally I dont think they really compare, but thats my opinion. Needing medical attention because you are too drunk to control your own bodily functions is pathetic. Then expecting a medical service to deal with you, for free..... Thats just stupid.
Take a closer look at what the booze bus deals with. Hurting yourself messing about, its silly, but is an accident, if you **** yourself doing a bungee jump you dont call an ambulance. Puke after spinning on a roundabout in play park, you dont call an ambulance to mop you up.... So why should someone who gets so drunk that they cant stand and mess themselves get any help. Learn from it, grow up and stop expecting the NHS to come and make it all better.
13 December 2011, 09:28 PM
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London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
This young woman was found covered in vomit near Oxford Street. Luckily her friends were there to look after her until the booze bus crew arrived.
This young woman was found covered in vomit near Oxford Street. Luckily her friends were there to look after her until the booze bus crew arrived.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/20...-bus-christmas
Make for a good read.
13 December 2011, 09:46 PM
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Joke, isn't it? Some binge drinkers justify themelves by saying that its all fun to lose control like that every now and again or once in a blue moon. 
Where's the fun in losing one's mind and body (+ dignity in public) with binge spiriting like that?? Freaks. 
Where's the fun in losing one's mind and body (+ dignity in public) with binge spiriting like that?? Freaks.
13 December 2011, 11:20 PM
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100% agree. Going over the top once, fair enough, but making a habit of it and 'enjoying' it...... seriously
14 December 2011, 02:03 PM
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Aspiration, hypoglycaemia and subdural haemorrhage are the nightmare to miss in a binge alcohol abuser, whether you're a paramedic, doctor, police officer etc. Aside from this I would like to lock them all up and throw them in a cell overnight with a £1000 fine the next day in court.
A little time spent in A/E on a Saturday night makes you realise what a dangerous waste of space binge alcohol abusers are. When you are elderly and have a fracture or a major cardiorespiratory illness, having an idiot like this in the next cubicle throwing their 15 stone around whilst they occupy the doctor and nurses that should be treating you is plain frightening and not something any of us should have to put up with in old age. For most it isn't even an illness, just a very weak character and a very odd mainly British phenomenon.
A little time spent in A/E on a Saturday night makes you realise what a dangerous waste of space binge alcohol abusers are. When you are elderly and have a fracture or a major cardiorespiratory illness, having an idiot like this in the next cubicle throwing their 15 stone around whilst they occupy the doctor and nurses that should be treating you is plain frightening and not something any of us should have to put up with in old age. For most it isn't even an illness, just a very weak character and a very odd mainly British phenomenon.
As ever it is down to personal responsiblity in the end, becoming drunk is no excuse for the ensuing bad behaviour. As you say-they should get charged heavily for all the trouble they cause.
les
. I mean the police said it would not work, the doctors said it would not work but Labour knew best.
14 December 2011, 02:35 PM
#20
It works on the continent, because they aren't British. 
Unless its a British holiday resort, of course.....that to me says everything that is wrong with a large proportion of British people.
Plenty of us know when to stop and stagger home whilst we can still walk and get home without leaving pavement pizzas in our tracks, nor without picking fights with the first person that looks at them funny. But, I know plenty of people who can't call it a night. OK, we all did it a few times in our teens, but the novelty quickly wears off though. And I haven't been paralytic since I was 21. Even before then I never ended up in hospitals or cuasing trouble, though I did wake up in a hedge, and did get some nasty injuries from being thrown out of a nightclub (for falling asleep inside).
Maybe having an alcoholic as a dad made me see things differently or learn my limits better?
Stupid thing is, at family events people always assumed I was a tee totaller....they were shocked if they saw me necking pints and shots down the local (in moderation ). To which I quickly set them straight that for once I'm not having to carry/drive the old man back home....Whats worse than being a drunk? Being the designated driver! 
Unless its a British holiday resort, of course.....that to me says everything that is wrong with a large proportion of British people. Plenty of us know when to stop and stagger home whilst we can still walk and get home without leaving pavement pizzas in our tracks, nor without picking fights with the first person that looks at them funny. But, I know plenty of people who can't call it a night. OK, we all did it a few times in our teens, but the novelty quickly wears off though. And I haven't been paralytic since I was 21. Even before then I never ended up in hospitals or cuasing trouble, though I did wake up in a hedge, and did get some nasty injuries from being thrown out of a nightclub (for falling asleep inside).
Maybe having an alcoholic as a dad made me see things differently or learn my limits better?
Stupid thing is, at family events people always assumed I was a tee totaller....they were shocked if they saw me necking pints and shots down the local (in moderation
). To which I quickly set them straight that for once I'm not having to carry/drive the old man back home....Whats worse than being a drunk? Being the designated driver!
Last edited by ALi-B; 14 December 2011 at 02:38 PM.
14 December 2011, 02:44 PM
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On the one hand people say they don't want a nanny state and then here we are blaming the government for ar5eholes that get pissed and end up needing medical help.... so which is it to be?
14 December 2011, 05:04 PM
#22
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I once saw a drunk person **** their pants.
How people get that drunk is beyond me! Personally I never get like that so it's easy for me to say fu*k them, but I don't think that someone in such a state should be left.
In that state anything could happen, sadly the nhs are obligated to pick up the pieces.
It is wrong that people get in such a state, it's wrong that people have to put up with it, but sadly it has to be dealt with.
How people get that drunk is beyond me! Personally I never get like that so it's easy for me to say fu*k them, but I don't think that someone in such a state should be left.
In that state anything could happen, sadly the nhs are obligated to pick up the pieces.
It is wrong that people get in such a state, it's wrong that people have to put up with it, but sadly it has to be dealt with.
14 December 2011, 05:13 PM
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Having been to Magaluf earlier this year for a few days I experienced a whole different side to alcohol abuse. I have to say I was shocked to see exactly what goes on, and how people change after a few.
Being a non drinker 99.99% of my life, I dont usually surround myself with people behaving in such a way, but to have been in the middle of it I NEVER want to drink as much as some people were doing.
Needless to say, I did experiment, but still managed to get home safely and without incident. Not to say that I was not offered a few fights along the way...
Drunken idiots !
Being a non drinker 99.99% of my life, I dont usually surround myself with people behaving in such a way, but to have been in the middle of it I NEVER want to drink as much as some people were doing.
Needless to say, I did experiment, but still managed to get home safely and without incident. Not to say that I was not offered a few fights along the way...
Drunken idiots !
14 December 2011, 05:15 PM
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Why not use private companies to round them up, corral them all into the booze buses and keep them under observation for their own safety, then in the morning hit them with a massive invoice for the service. Surely this would make the service self-financing and release the burden from the NHS.
14 December 2011, 05:21 PM
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Why not use private companies to round them up, corral them all into the booze buses and keep them under observation for their own safety, then in the morning hit them with a massive invoice for the service. Surely this would make the service self-financing and release the burden from the NHS.
As for those comparing it to other situations, etc, try walking into a BUPA hospital and saying 'im drunk' and expecting them to treat you under your private medical insurance. I think you would end up waking in a cell, and being given a bill courtesy of a public order ticket.
15 December 2011, 12:19 PM
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Alcohol treatment centre for dealing with drunks, so they dont flood A&E... Nice to see them putting people on the floor. Shame they have to do it at all.
15 December 2011, 04:06 PM
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Sorry but you cannot lay this at the door of any political party. People getting drunk is down to themselves and no one else.
On the one hand people say they don't want a nanny state and then here we are blaming the government for ar5eholes that get pissed and end up needing medical help.... so which is it to be?
On the one hand people say they don't want a nanny state and then here we are blaming the government for ar5eholes that get pissed and end up needing medical help.... so which is it to be?
Maybe the answer is to give really heavy penalties for those who go over the top and cause trouble.
You never know, they might learn a bit of responsibility for their behaviour.
Les
15 December 2011, 04:39 PM
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Mates girlfriend is infrequently taken to hospital ( trips over something usually ) , but isnt violent at all afaik , last time was after a blood test whereupon the doctor himself called an abulance straight away ,shes about 1/2 mile or less from the general hosp.
Even so she kept em waiting 3/4 hr dithering ( and finishing off her cider )
Hearts giving out , less than 6 months left im afriad
Even so she kept em waiting 3/4 hr dithering ( and finishing off her cider )
Hearts giving out , less than 6 months left im afriad
15 December 2011, 05:56 PM
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We all pay for it regardless of if we like it or not, thats for sure!
So its right that people should drink until they cant function, safe in the knowledge that someone will be there to make it all better again.