A MEDICAL “drunk tank” is to open at weekends and on race days in St Helen’s Square to help the hospital emergency department, by cutting down on admissions (Drunk tank to reduce pressure on A&E, June 7).

The NHS is having trouble with funding at the moment, so how the devil is this going to be funded?

Surely someone who is drunk and is admitted to hospital because of being drunk should pay the cost of any treatment needed, and the cost of the ambulance for taking them to hospital.

The taxpayer should not have to cough up to pay for drunks’ treatment. A&E is for emergencies only.

Tom Mitchell, Mendip Close, Huntington, York.