Rural doctors are hoping that residents enjoy themselves in a safe and healthy way as they ring in the New Year celebrations tonight.

At traditionally one of the busiest times in our remote and regional emergency departments, the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) said most reasons behind a visit to hospital at this time are avoidable with common-sense.

“Unsurprisingly, over-indulging in alcohol is one of the biggest reasons why patients come to the hospital over the festive season” RDAA President, Dr RT Lewandowski, said.

“Many choose to drink more alcohol at this time of year than they normally would – and this leads to problems.

“Make sure you take a safe and measured approach to your alcohol intake during the New Year festivities, to avoid a trip to the hospital ED,” Dr Lewandowski said.

“Ensure you are swapping out some of your alcoholic drinks for things like water, juice, soft drinks and even alcohol-free beer, and pace yourself on your alcohol intake.

“It also goes without saying that you shouldn’t attempt to drive, swim, ride a bike or do anything that requires extra co-ordination or focus if you have had too much to drink…it’s a sure fire way to injure yourself and others.

“Unfortunately, the festive season is also a time when recreational drug users may take more drugs than usual – this is definitely something to avoid.”

A Western Plains healthcare worker who locums in the region said many of the injuries he saw at this time of year were preventable.

“Our regional and remote health facilities are there to support you, but let’s not put undue pressure on them. And if we all play it safe, that’s the best approach.

“On a night like New Year’s Eve let’s aim for fun, mixed with good sense. Having a designated driver is something I would suggest is essential if you are travelling off-property. And definitely, rehydrate as you celebrate,” he said.

“There is a higher propensity for road accidents in remote areas, and to a large degree those incidents are avoidable. 

“Stay safe, stay happy, enjoy your community.”

Unexpected dangers

Other dangers lurk around the New Year’s Eve party, too…

“We often have people presenting with stomach pain at hospital EDs, either because they have over-indulged with their food intake at Christmas and New Year parties or have fallen victim to food poisoning” Dr Lewandowski said.

“Over-indulgence is easy to avoid – as with alcohol, pace yourself with your food intake, and ensure you are leaving a few of those tasty nibblies until later.

“Food safety, however, is a critical responsibility that falls on everyone, from the party host through to the invited guests – make sure you are only preparing and eating food that has been properly stored and cooked (particularly when it comes to cooking meat), ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before helping in the kitchen and before eating, and make sure those leftovers are not left in the fridge past their safe eating date.”

Dr Lewandowski said all advice was something our communities were aware of, but needed to keep at the forefront of their minds. "We want people to have fun, but they're not going to be having fun if they are sitting in an ED."