York residents over the age of 18 are set to be sent information how to lower their alcohol consumption via text for the very first time – in a partnership approach by City of York Council and GP Practices to provide more advice and help residents who wish to improve their health.
Over 120,000 text messages will be sent in January by local GP Practices to adults registered to receive text message alerts.
The text message will read:
“From your GP: The harm alcohol can cause to our health is often downplayed. Take York’s www.lowermydrinking.com quiz for tailored advice, however much you usually drink. If you want to talk to someone about the LowerMyDrinking quiz, you can book an appointment with a CYC health trainer by calling 01904 553377.”
The online quiz and support is free and provides guidance around low risk drinking levels, the effects alcohol has on health and wellbeing and tips for reducing drinking, along with details of relevant support options available in York, such as Changing Habits or the Health Trainer service.
The website: www.lowermydrinking.com provides personalised information based on quiz results, with the option to download the Lower My Drinking app free of charge.
Cllr Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, at City of York Council, said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with GPs on the text campaign to reach more people with this helpful tool. If you want to start the New Year with a new ambition to be more healthy, support is available to help you take the steps to lead a healthier life.”
Dr Steven Crane, Emergency Department consultant and clinical lead, at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “In the Emergency Department we regularly treat patients suffering from the effects of long-term alcohol excess, such as serious bleeding from the stomach, and short-term alcohol intoxication, such as serious and often lifechanging injury to themselves or others. Reducing your alcohol consumption will reduce your chances of becoming one of these patients.”
Dr Daniel Kimberling, GP at Haxby Group and Medical Director for Nimbuscare, said: “It’s more important than ever to support our patients to be healthy. There isn’t enough information around about the health impacts of alcohol but increases in alcohol consumption during the pandemic are likely to lead to more people developing heart disease, liver disease and cancer. The Lower My Drinking quiz is a great starting point to check how much you’re drinking, however much you usually drink, and find out about relevant support available in York to help you reduce if relevant and feel the benefits. Reducing alcohol will improve your sleep quality, energy levels and concentration and make it easier to manage your weight as well as lower your risks of high blood pressure, cancers and liver disease.”
Support with alcohol:
Anyone concerned about their own, or a friend/family member’s drinking, can access help at whatever level it might be needed.
The Lower My Drinking website will help people to work out what support is most relevant for them: www.lowermydrinking.com
York residents can find out more about the range of help and support available (including for families affected by a family member’s drinking), via the Live Well York website.
Or to speak to someone to discuss the support options available, get in touch today with the Health Trainer team via the short online form at: www.york.gov.uk/CYCHealthTrainers or call 01904 553377 to book an appointment.
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