HOSPITAL chiefs are urging revellers to drink responsibly as a weekend of partying starts today.
They said emergency services will be strained during the festive period, and advised people to gauge their drinking.
Alice Walsh, deputy director of public health at NHS Gloucestershire, said: "The more you drink, the more at risk you are of accident and injury, or becoming involved in a fight.
"Every year, the local A&E departments and ambulance services have to deal with people who have made themselves ill by drinking too much, or been injured as a result of a fight or accident where alcohol is a factor.
"This puts undue pressure on a frontline service that should be able to focus on providing emergency and life saving care."
They warned people not to drink on an empty stomach, and to avoid drinking more than normal.
Gloucestershire police will be patrolling the streets with extra officers this weekend to make sure Cheltenham streets are safe.
Read the full story in tomorrow's Echo.
They said emergency services will be strained during the festive period, and advised people to gauge their drinking.
Alice Walsh, deputy director of public health at NHS Gloucestershire, said: "The more you drink, the more at risk you are of accident and injury, or becoming involved in a fight.
"Every year, the local A&E departments and ambulance services have to deal with people who have made themselves ill by drinking too much, or been injured as a result of a fight or accident where alcohol is a factor.
"This puts undue pressure on a frontline service that should be able to focus on providing emergency and life saving care."
They warned people not to drink on an empty stomach, and to avoid drinking more than normal.
Gloucestershire police will be patrolling the streets with extra officers this weekend to make sure Cheltenham streets are safe.
Read the full story in tomorrow's Echo.
