A temporary 'drunk tank' is to be reopened on one of Birmingham's busiest streets as revellers enjoy the long Bank Holiday weekend.
West Midlands Ambulance Service first set up a temporary minor injuries unit in the city centre last December, which saw more than 100 patients over Christmas and New Year - whose conditions were mostly drink-related.
It has since operated over bank holiday weekends, staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses from the Central Accident Resuscitation (CARE) team, to help alleviate pressure on local A&E units.
Trust bosses are set to repeat the exercise over August Bank Holiday, Christmas and New Year, after which they are set to review the service, which could become a regular weekend service.
An ambulance service spokesman said: "This project will be reviewed, once the Christmas and New Year figures have been analysed, but running the unit regularly on weekends is an option.
"It's very clear there's a need for a minor injuries unit like this, particularly in Birmingham's 'golden mile' which is where most of our calls come from at weekends, throughout the year, anyway.
"But as yet no firm decisions have been made on what will happen with the scheme next year."
Trained St John Ambulance volunteers will also be on hand to help staff the unit, as well as providing transport for patients that require further treatment at hospital.
Dave Ashford, the trust's regional head of community response, said: "We are hoping this unit will help us deal with those people who do require medical treatment, but don’t require an emergency service, and will ease the pressure on the hospitals and the ambulance service.
"It will free up our crews who can convey appropriate patients to the unit as they become available to respond to further patients much quicker. "
