Doctors in charge of NHS spending in the district have pledged to make tackling the harm caused by alcohol a priority, as they announce a £1 million investment in more front-line specialist nurses and support staff.

Bradford and Airedale’s new NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have made the spending announcement during Alcohol Awareness Week, a campaign which aims to raise awareness of alcohol-related harm and encourage sensible drinking.

In Bradford and Airedale 92,000 people drink at hazardous levels and 17,000 of these at harmful levels, causing health and social problems.

The injection of more than £1m by the district’s CCGs will see new specialist support to tackle alcohol-related harm and expand the range of alcohol misuse services on offer.

Dr Andy Withers, shadow clinical chairman of Bradford Districts CCG, said: “Tackling the harm caused by alcohol is a top priority.

“All the local CCGs are committed to working with partner agencies to halt the rise in the number of people suffering health and social problems due to alcohol misuse.

“Prevention is a key area. We need to support people to know about how drinking too much poses risks to their health and how they can take control of their drinking..”

Dr Phil Pue, chief clinical officer designate for Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG, said: “It’s important for people to be aware of the reality of alcohol-related harm and take steps to change their lifestyle, with support if necessary.”

The extra investment will fund:

* two alcohol clinical nurses at Airedale Hospital and an additional one for Bradford Royal Infirmary

* four alcohol community-intensive support workers (two for Bradford and two for Airedale)

* two Central and Eastern European workers

* an A&E alcohol worker for Airedale Hospital

* three alcohol assessment staff in Bradford and a physical health nurse

* two additional primary care staff for Airedale.