Unison, the public sector union, has called for more training for nurses and other health workers to spot signs of harmful drinking levels.

It comes as new research shows drink is implicated in 33,000 deaths a year, a 33 per cent rise since 1984.

One in six patients attending accident units have alcohol-related injuries or problems.

Forum Response: Unison

Bob Abberley, assistant general secretary of Unison, told ePolitix.com: "This is a staggering increase and one which calls for urgent action. All disciplines across health and social care should be aware and be able to provide advice and information to someone who is a harmful drinker.

"Nurses are often best placed to identify those at risk. They can give advice to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol misuse yet there is very little in the way of specific training. That lack of training is costing lives and the NHS money.

"Unison believes better training for health professionals would lead to a significant reduction in the death toll as well as making considerable savings to the NHS."

Forum Response: Royal College of Nursing

A spokesperson for the Royal College of Nursing told ePolitix.com: "The Royal College of Nursing welcomes Unison's call. It is important that nurses have all the training and help to support them in their role."

Forum Response: Alcohol Concern

A spokesperson for Alcohol Concern told ePolitix.com: "Alcohol Concern backs the call for specific training for nurses on alcohol. We believe that healthcare settings provide an ideal opportunity to detect and enquire about alcohol misuse and would like to see the wide scale implementation of screening and brief interventions in healthcare settings.

"It is essential that strategies are introduced to detect excessive drinking in the early stages and encourage individuals to reduce consumption to sensible limits to prevent the enormous impact that alcohol has on health and the NHS in the UK.

"Nurses should be given alcohol training to provide them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to carry out alcohol work and to support them in this role."