Concern at female racegoers’ boozing

Women are outpacing men in the drinking stakes, with doctors surprised by figures showing they’re now the vast majority of hospital admissions from the Spring Carnival.

Female racegoers drinking too much at Melbourne’s spring carnival have triggered alarm among doctors.

New research shows more than three-quarters of St Vincent’s Hospital alcohol-associated presentations from Flemington Racecourse during last year’s carnival were women.

Experts say it’s contrary to trends which show men are heavier drinkers.

Patrons preloading with booze before big events was a particular issue.

Intoxicated women were falling and injuring their ankles, wrists and arms.

Some suffered acute intoxication which could result in loss of consciousness, an altered conscious state and vomiting.

Australasian College for Emergency Medicine president Dr Simon Judkins, whose organisation completed the research, told the Herald Sun: “It was a bit of a surprise.”

“At the spring carnival the pendulum seems to swing towards the consumption of alcohol with women,’’ Dr Judkins said.

“It’s one of those cultural things where at the racecourse it seems to be OK for everybody to indulge in excess alcohol.

“We’re seeing it on social media, we’re seeing it on the news and now we’re seeing it emergency departments.

“People just need to understand the consequences.

“There are significant risks, significant injuries and even people dying.”

Researchers monitored emergency department presentations at St Vincent’s and Monash Health’s Clayton, Casey and Dandenong campuses.

Flemington Racecourse was the second-most commonly reported venue for last drinks for patients going to emergency at St Vincent’s in the final quarter of last year, behind Crown Casino.

The MCG and music venue the Forum also ranked highly.

Police and security on patrol at Flemington Racecourse after Melbourne Cup. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Almost half of patients presenting at St Vincent’s and two-thirds at Monash Health, monitored between January and March this year, bought pre-packaged liquor from supermarkets and bottle shops in the 12 hours before they needed medical help.

“People working at venues may only see a person having one or two drinks but they also need to be aware that they may also have had another 10 drinks under their belt before they get there,’’ Dr Judkins said.

“The resources that are used to try and take care of patients who are heavily intoxicated is quite significant.

“If we are able to address the issues of binge drinking, intoxication and responsible drinking then hopefully we will be able to free up some resources for other people.”

Excess alcohol consumption fuelling aggression was endangering hospital and emergency services staff while drinkers themselves were at greater risk of assault, Dr Judkins said.

It was likely presentations from the races were underestimated because St Vincent’s wasn’t the closest hospital to Flemington.

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The Victoria Racing Club said in a statement: “The Victoria Racing Club works with Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Responsible Service of Alcohol monitors and partners with DrinkWise to encourage responsible use of alcohol and to ensure the wellbeing of patrons at Flemington racedays.”

The National Health and Medical Research Council funded the study.

Targeting safe alcohol consumption messages to women during the spring carnival and restricting alcohol advertising at sports events were among proposals to reduce harm.

@weshosking