Drunken East End partygoers get treatment at Liverpool Street ‘booze hospital’

VOLUNTEERS from St John Ambulance treated dozens of festive party-goers at a field hospital at Liverpool Street Station last week.

More than 20 St John Ambulance volunteers have worked alongside London Ambulance Service staff at the station on Thursday and Friday nights throughout December in a bid to reduce the number of patients visiting A&E.

Thousands of revellers headed to Christmas parties last week, and Thursday and Friday evening were two of the busiest office party nights of the year.

St John Ambulance members were on hand to help treat 16 people on Thursday, three of whom were taken to hospital, and 30 people on Friday, with 11 being taken to hospital.

The ‘drunk tent’ - as it has been dubbed by ambulance staff - aims to treat patients with minor illnesses and injuries, with vehicles from both organisations assigned to deal with alcohol-related emergency calls in the City and East End.

This is the fifth year St John Ambulance has provided the London Ambulance Service with support in running the treatment tent, which includes a first aid centre and two ambulances, at Liverpool Street Station during the height of the office party season.

The mobile treatment centre will be in place again on Thursday and Friday this week from 4pm-2am.

St John Ambulance assistant staff officer Terry Wing said: “We play our part in making a difference to the lives of those in the city and to the demand on hospital staff.

“This initiative really helps to divert a high volume of alcohol-fuelled patients with injuries, which inevitably occur this time each year, away from hospital beds and home safely.”

St John Ambulance London has around 5,000 volunteer members who provide more than 500,000 hours of duty service throughout the year.

Typically, in 12 months they will treat well over 20,000 people at carnivals, music and sporting events.