19 October 2009 - Public sector workers asked to ‘rethink your drink’
Public sector agencies in Portsmouth will be asking their staff to ‘rethink your drink’ today as part of alcohol awareness week. Staff will be asked to complete a real or virtual scratch card, which has three questions about their alcohol consumption. For those that are drinking at levels that could harm their health, advice is provided.Alcohol is estimated to cause 3-5% of all absences from work; about 8 to 14 million lost working days in the UK each year . Alcohol consumption may result in reduced work performance and resentment among other staff who have to ‘carry’ colleagues whose work declines because of their drinking.
Over 5,000 scratch cards will be available in Portsmouth. As well as workplaces, the scratch cards will be available at GP surgeries, the St. Mary’s Walk-in centre and Cascades Shopping Centre on Tuesday. The online version is available at: www.hampshire.nhs.uk/your-health/rethink-your-drink
The agencies involved in this initiative are all members of the Safer Portsmouth Partnership, the city’s crime prevention body. The Partnership also focuses on trying to address problems caused by drug and alcohol misuse. Members include Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth City Teaching Primary Care Trust, Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Probation Service and Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service.
Dr. Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Public Health & Wellbeing for Portsmouth City, said, ”We will be encouraging staff to take one minute of their day to think about how much alcohol they consume. Alcohol and alcohol-related illnesses can cause significant amounts of absenteeism at work.
We want to encourage people to drink at levels that will not effect their health. We have a duty of care to our staff and we want to encourage a healthier and happier workplace.”
Safer Portsmouth Partnership
Safer Portsmouth Partnership is a group of statutory and voluntary community agencies that meet regularly and work together to reduce crime, substance misuse and the fear of crime. Their goal is to make Portsmouth a safe place to live, work and visit.
For more information contact:
Heather-Fiona Craig, Marketing & Communications Officer Safer Portsmouth Partnership Tel: 02392 841723 email: heather-fiona.craig@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Vicky Griffin, Communications Officer PCT Tel: 023 9268 4820 vicky.griffin@ports.nhs.uk
