Liverpool hospitals introduce zero-alcohol policy to improve patient safety
A zero-alcohol policy is being introduced across Liverpool hospital sites in a move designed to improve patient safety, support recovery and reduce alcohol-related harm.
University Hospitals of Liverpool Group is implementing the policy as part of Hospital Watch, a partnership initiative developed by Liverpool City Council’s Public Health team alongside NHS partners, Trading Standards and local licensed retailers.
The programme was created following concerns about the availability of alcohol near hospitals and the risks drinking can pose to patients receiving treatment or recovering from illness.
University Hospitals of Liverpool Group includes Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, as well as a range of community services.
Under the new policy, alcohol will not be permitted on hospital premises. The rules will apply to patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors.
Hospital Watch has already introduced staff training, public awareness campaigns and partnership work with nearby licensed premises to help retailers identify hospital patients and refuse alcohol sales where appropriate.
Test purchasing exercises carried out near hospital sites found that refusal rates more than doubled following targeted engagement with retailers.
Volunteers posing as hospital patients attempted to purchase alcohol from nearby premises, with refusal rates rising from 33% during initial testing to 80% after awareness-raising work had taken place.
The initiative has also received strong public backing, with 92% of patients surveyed supporting the Hospital Watch approach.
Health leaders say the zero-alcohol policy will help prevent harmful interactions between alcohol and medication, reduce complications during treatment and recovery, and improve safety for patients, visitors and staff.
It is also intended to support shorter hospital stays, improve health outcomes and create opportunities to identify people who may benefit from specialist alcohol support.
Alcohol-related harm continues to place significant pressure on health services across Liverpool.
Alcohol is the leading cause of death and illness among people aged between 15 and 49 in the city and contributes to around 4,971 alcohol-specific hospital admissions each year.
The estimated annual cost of alcohol-related harm in Liverpool is £331.7 million.
Across England, there were 8,274 alcohol-specific deaths in 2023 and 339,916 alcohol-specific hospital admissions during 2023/24.
Patients who require additional help will be able to access specialist assessments, medically managed withdrawal support and referrals to community treatment services through the University Hospitals of Liverpool Group’s Alcohol Care Team.
Hospital staff are also receiving Identification and Brief Advice training, helping them to hold supportive conversations with patients about alcohol use, treatment and recovery.
Although the policy adopts a zero-alcohol approach across hospital sites, it recognises alcohol dependence as a serious health condition requiring treatment, compassion and specialist support.
Limited clinical exceptions will remain in specific circumstances, including some aspects of end-of-life care.
Hospital Watch brings together healthcare services, Liverpool City Council, Trading Standards and local retailers in a shared effort to reduce alcohol-related harm and improve health outcomes for vulnerable patients and communities.
Dr Paul Richardson, Consultant Hepatologist and Clinical Lead for Alcohol Care Services at University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, said:
“Liverpool has a long history of tackling alcohol-related harm, and we know the devastating impact alcohol can have on individuals, families and communities.
“Every year thousands of Liverpool residents require hospital treatment because of alcohol-related illness, while alcohol continues to contribute to avoidable deaths, crime and wider social harm across our city. Alcohol-related harm remains one of the biggest preventable causes of ill health that we see in hospitals.
“This policy is not about punishing people. It is about protecting patients, supporting recovery and creating the safest possible environment for everyone accessing our hospitals.
“Many patients we care for are living with alcohol dependence and complex health conditions. Alongside this zero-tolerance approach, we are strengthening access to specialist support through our Alcohol Care Team and community partners.”
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said:
“Alcohol-related harm continues to have a profound impact on health across Liverpool and remains one of the leading causes of preventable illness and premature death.
“The figures are stark. Thousands of Liverpool residents require hospital treatment every year because of alcohol-related conditions, placing significant pressure on our health and care services and affecting individuals, families and communities across the city.
“Hospital Watch is an outstanding example of effective partnership working and prevention in action. The initiative is already demonstrating the value of bringing together health services, local government, Trading Standards and local businesses to identify risks early, share intelligence and take practical steps to reduce alcohol-related harm.
“By strengthening these partnerships and building on the success of Hospital Watch, we can help prevent avoidable hospital admissions, support vulnerable people to access the help they need sooner, and make a meaningful difference to the health and wellbeing of Liverpool residents.”
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