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Friday 9 December 2011

Alcohol-Related Hospital Admissions Rise

Katie Stallard, news correspondent
More than a million people were admitted to hospital with alcohol-related conditions last year, up 11% from the previous year, according to an independent report.
The statistics, compiled by the North West Public Health Observatory show there were 1,173,000 alcohol related admissions in 2010/11, up from 1,057,000 in 2009/10, and more than twice the number in 2002/3.
The average annual increase in alcohol-related admissions since 2002/3 has been 11%.
The information is based on national, regional and local data recording diseases and injuries in which alcohol plays a part.
The number of general admissions to hospital has also increased, but at a slightly lesser rate, at an average 9% per year, or 1,898 hospital admissions per 100,000 population.
But figures for the first quarter of 2011/12 show a markedly lower increase than previous recorded quarters, at 2%, or 294,000 alcohol related admissions.
Labour's shadow public health minister, Diane Abbott, said the figures showed alcohol admissions were spiralling out of control and urged the government to "get a grip" on binge-drinking.
"The alarm bells should be ringing with the publication of these figures. It is clear that this government is rapidly pushing us towards a binge-drinking crisis. The figures show more than twice the number of alcohol admissions than in 2002/3.

"All British families want for Christmas is some kind of indication that the government will at least try to get a grip on the tide of harm caused by binge-drinking seen in our high-streets and hospitals."
The Department of Health cautioned against placing too much significance on provisional results for one quarter, but said it was possible the figures had been caused by a fall in average alcohol consumption, as measured by tax duty data from the HMRC.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "These figures are disturbing evidence that, despite total consumption of alcohol not increasing recently we have serious problems with both binge drinking and long-term excessive alcohol abuse in a minority of people.
"These consistent rises show that Labour took their eye off the ball on tackling alcohol abuse during their 13 years in power.
"Their reckless policies, such as the decision to unleash a 24-hour drinking culture in our country only made matters worse.
"Unlike the last Government, we have taken real action by imposing high taxes on super strength beers and ciders and banning below cost alcohol sales.
"Our alcohol strategy, which we will set out in the New Year, will outline what further steps we are taking to tackle this growing problem."

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