PARAMEDICS were faced with a huge jump in the number of call outs due to drinking two weeks ago.

Saturday, February 28 saw the number of call outs for alcohol-related incidents double when compared to the previous Monday.

That night, paramedics and technicians from the North West Ambulance Service attended 99 incidents where they were to 47 on the Monday.

A spokesman said that the number of alcohol-related incidents is actually likely to be far higher as not all are logged with the exact terminology.

The service tends to see a spike in the last weekend of each month, the spokesman said.

John Burnside, NWAS chief executive, said: “Many alcohol-related incidents can be avoided and frequently put an unnecessary strain on our crews. For this reason we ask that people take care of themselves and each other on a night out.”

The morning-after effect can pose a problem as well, with NWAS reminding people that hangovers should be treated at home with painkillers and rest.

NWAS recommended that people eat before they go out, drink beers with lesser percentage counts, have plenty of soft drunks and avoid getting into rounds at the bar.

It also said people should drink smaller drinks or add extra mixers, and warned them never to mix alcohol with recreational drugs, especially stimulants like ecstacy or cocaine.