A "Pubs and Clubs" charter has been launched by Wirral NHS as part of a wide-ranging campaign to drive down the number of people needing hospital treatment for booze-related problems.

The charter is designed to help people have a safe and enjoyable night out.

It builds on a recent report that compared with other local authorities Wirral is performing significantly better than national and regional averages in reducing alcohol-related crimes, including violent crimes and sexual offences.

Last week The Globe revealed a continuing escalation of alcohol-related hospital admissions in Wirral with the number of cases increasing from 8,686 in 2008-09 to 8,707 in 2009-10.

Nationally, the latest figures showed that one million admissions was exceeded in a year for the first time.

Information released by Wirral NHS indicate that more than 18,000 alcohol screenings were completed during 2010-11; the number of assaults related to alcohol during 2010-11 dropped and people who have gone through the alcohol recovery programme are now working to support others.

This week Wirral NHS are staging a series of activities in celebration of some significant achievements in addressing alcohol-related problems.

Planned activities include alcohol screening by NHS staff at local police stations; a police “stay safe” exercise aimed at cracking down on under-age drinkers; the involvement of school governors in educational sessions about drugs, alcohol and tobacco and the launch of an alcohol policy to improve education for young people and for managing school-related incidents.

On Wednesday, Wirral’s mayor Cllr Moira McLaughlin will be joined by Cllr Brian Kenny – council cabinet member for environment - to meet young volunteers who will conduct test buying in local off licenses to establish whether they are selling alcohol to under age people.

Each volunteer will be presented with a certificate in recognition of their efforts.

The week will conclude with health staff participating in the Three Peaks Events - scaling Snowdon, Scafell Pile and Ben Nevis in 24 hours.

The challenge will be in support of the charity Improving Chances which is in aid of mothers and babies in Uganda when one-in-200 women die needlessly in childbirth.

NHS Wirral has a free 24-hour confidential advice line to address people’s concerns about their own, their family’s of their friends’ drinking. The contact number is 0800 988 1421 or visit www.wirralalcohol.co.uk by clicking the link below.