• Overall, in 2007/08 there were around 863,300 admissions related to alcohol consumption whether an alcohol-related disease, injury or condition was the primary reason for hospital admission or a secondary diagnosis. This represents a 69% increase since 2002/03 when there were around 510,200 such admissions.
Commenting on today’s statistics released by the NHS Information Centre (Statistics on Alcohol: England, 2009), Alcohol Concern Chief Executive Don Shenker said:
“Today’s figures clearly show that alcohol misuse is one of the most serious public health problems facing the UK.
“The dramatic increase in admissions caused by alcohol consumption is a warning that unless action is taken, we face an escalating public health crisis and increasing pressure on the doctors and nurses working in our hospitals.
“The rise in deaths directly due to alcohol goes hand in hand with the increase in consumption over recent decades. As alcohol has become more affordable fuelled by the growth of irresponsible low cost sales, the population as a whole is drinking more and this is having a massive impact on the nation’s health.
“Only 1 in 18 problem drinkers is receiving proper support. It is vital that the government starts investing more in alcohol treatment to help those with a drink problem to tackle these issues before it’s too late.
Alcohol Concern