Drinkers were toasting their health today as a team of medics took over a pub.
Doctors and nurses from Salford Health Matters were dispensing advice – and pints – at The Hope in Eccles.
It is part of an initiative to spread the word about the dangers of excessive boozing and to encourage responsible drinking.
The team was chatting to customers about drink-related issues and handing out leaflets.
Customers were also being encouraged to try on ‘beer goggles’ and guess the number of alcohol units in drinks as part of light-hearted activities the NHS team organised.
Chief executive of Salford Health Matters, Neil Turton, was among those taking part in the session at the Eccles Old Road pub.
He said: “Taking over the pub is a great way for us to talk to members of the local community in a relaxed way. But it is also a wonderful way of educating the public about the dangers of excessive drinking.
“Binge drinking is a growing problem among the younger generation, especially at this time of year during the holiday season. We want to show people that you can drink responsibly.”
The Hope’s landlady is Trish Bell, who has previously worked with the NHS to promote sexual health and no-smoking initiatives.
She said: “I want my customers to come to our pub and have a great time but without the bad effects of drinking too much, such as terrible hangovers, illness and violence.
“It’s important to raise people’s awareness.”
Salford Health Matters is a team of NHS GPs, nurses and administration staff serving over 13,000 people across Salford – in Eccles, Little Hulton, Charlestown and Lower Kersal.
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The Hope is not in Eccles, it is in Salford.
we have nonsense like this from an NHS that is protected from cuts?
I think I went in there the other night and got all the advice. I'm not sure, but I might have been out of it at the time.
A talking-to explaining what I've just bought might kill me is not my idea of escaping from the stresses of life. I don't over-imbibe but don't want lectures when I go to the pub. There is plenty of that on the tv and radio, which I generally go out to avoid. I'd really hate to die of nothing. That would pee me off.
My Grandad drank 12 pints a day for 72 years, and was run over by a bus at the age of 86. His brother never drank any alcohol at all, but he was killed by a bus at the age of 32. There must be a lesson there somewhere. ;-) ;-)
sack the pen pushpushing bean counters who thought up this hare brained scheme, it couldn't have been the doctors
If the coalition government are looking for savings then "Director of Salford Health Matters" would seem like a job that could be dispensed with tomorrow with no effect on the front line service provision.