ALCOHOL will soon be the biggest early killer of women in Bolton, a health chief has warned.

Dr Stephen Liversedge highlighted the shocking fact as he demanded action and unveiled an initiative to try to tackle drinking in the town.

He says alcohol will soon play a part in most premature deaths in Bolton women.

Currently, premature deaths are down to a range of conditions including cancer, heart disease and strokes, but alcohol is an increasing contributory factor in many cases.

The Bolton News has previously reported how a third of people in the town regularly drink to excess, putting their health at serious risk.

Dr Liversedge, a longstanding GP who also does management work for NHS Bolton, the local primary care trust, said: “Alcohol is an increasing problem in the borough.

“It will overtake all other causes of premature death in women in the borough.

“We have got to do something about it.

“Everything so far hasn’t quite worked, but it’s going to work this year — by simplifying it, getting everyone on board and making certain there is a pathway.”

Dr Liversedge, who received an MBE for services to healthcare last year, is rolling out a system to identify those who may have an alcohol problem as early as possible and intervene.

He wants every GP practice in Bolton to ask their patients three questions about alcohol when they see them: ● How often do you have a drink containing alcohol?

● How many units do you have in a typical day when you are drinking?

● How often did you have six units, if a woman, or eight or more units, if a man, on a single occasion in the last year?

Their answers could see them referred to a service to help tackle their drinking.

Dr Liversedge said: “We can’t get around people lying, but this is raising the issue of alcohol with them.”

It is hoped the system can be rolled out beyond GPs, to all clinicians.