The NHS has this week revealed that in 2018, almost 125,000 people were admitted to hospitals across the South West because of alcohol.
Analysis of the statistics by alcohol addiction treatment experts UKAT reveals that the number of people admitted into hospital because of alcohol has risen across the South West by 22% since 2012/13, and is a figure that has continued to rise for the last six years.
In 2018/19, 124,970 people admitted to hospital where the primary reason or a secondary diagnosis was linked to alcohol, 6% more than the previous year (117,400) and 22% more than in 2012/13 (102,260).
Conditions for hospital admission due to alcohol include cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, alcohol poisoning, and alcoholic liver disease.
UKAT’s analysis shows the areas with the highest number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in 2018/19 include Cornwall (14,860), Devon (14,660) and Somerset (14,130).
And over the last six years, their analysis shows huge rises in hospital admissions for South Gloucestershire (50% rise), North Somerset (41% rise) and Swindon (40% rise).
The only area across the South West to have reduced the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions over the last 6 years is Plymouth.
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Alcohol-related NHS hospital admissions in the South West |
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|
|
2012/13 |
2018/19 |
6 year rise or fall in hospital admissions |
|
Bath and North East Somerset |
3,030 |
3,530 |
17% |
|
Bristol |
8,710 |
10,770 |
24% |
|
Cornwall |
11,050 |
14,860 |
34% |
|
Devon |
14,440 |
14,660 |
2% |
|
Gloucestershire |
10,850 |
12,680 |
17% |
|
North Somerset |
3,990 |
5,610 |
41% |
|
Plymouth |
5,450 |
5,360 |
-2% |
|
Somerset |
10,800 |
14,130 |
31% |
|
South Gloucestershire |
4,360 |
6,560 |
50% |
|
Swindon |
3,510 |
4,930 |
40% |
|
Torbay |
3,240 |
3,610 |
11% |
|
Wiltshire |
7,600 |
9,910 |
30% |
|
NHS Statistics on Alcohol, analysed and presented by UK Addiction Treatment Group |
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Across the South West the number of men greatly outweigh the number of women admitted in 2018/19 due to alcohol even though the total number of people admitted has increased. This is a trend that has stayed the same over the last six years.
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Alcohol-related NHS hospital admissions in the South West by gender |
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|
|
2012/13 |
2018/19 |
|
Total Admissions |
102,260 |
124,970 |
|
Men |
66,140 (65%) |
80,220 (64%) |
|
Women |
36,120 (35%) |
44,740 (36%) |
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NHS Statistics on Alcohol, analysed and presented by UK Addiction Treatment Group |
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Nuno Albuquerque, Group Treatment Lead at addiction firm UKAT comments;
“The problem with alcohol in this country is a ticking time bomb about to explode. NHS Hospitals in particular across the South West are crippling under pressures directly attributable to the misuse of alcohol; a drug that is so socially accepted yet so incredibly dangerous.
“People here are seemingly struggling with their alcohol consumption; drinking so much alcohol that it is leading to hospitalisation and the diagnosis of further, debilitating conditions, yet the Government continues to have their heads buried in the sand.
“The question is, why do we still not have an Alcohol-specific Strategy, as promised back in 2018? It is a huge problem and one that needs immediately addressed as a matter of urgency.”
For help, advice and local alcohol support services, visit www.ukat.co.uk/alcohol/v7/
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Do you have a drinking problem?
Here are six drinking patterns and symptoms which may suggest a drinking problem. If any apply to you, please seek medical professional help.
- Drinking in the daytime on a regular basis
- Drinking to relax or feel better, or before stressful situations
- Drinking to excess or to ‘blackout’ point
- Redness of the face, especially the eyes and nose
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Lack of or increased appetite leading to considerable weight loss or weight gain
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