15.10.14
Hitting the bottle is hurting the NHS
Alcohol-related NHS admissions, including inpatient, outpatient, and A&E visits, hit almost 10 million in England during 2012-13, according to new research by Alcohol Concern.
While A&E admissions accounted for six in every 10 alcohol-related hospital visits, inpatient admissions were responsible for almost two thirds of the total cost burden.
But what is equally as hurtful to people’s health, is the cost incurred by the NHS to treat these cases. As the charity noted alcohol misuse is a significant public health challenge; it affects thousands of individuals, families and communities across the country and costs the NHS an estimated £3.5bn each year.
Alcohol Concern chief executive Jackie Ballard said: “The NHS is now facing an intolerable strain from alcohol-related illnesses.”
She added that this is not just from readily-identifiable causes such as A&E visits and admissions for liver disease, but from a significant number of other conditions in which alcohol plays a major, but often underappreciated part.
Responding to the report, Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the RCGP, stated that minimum pricing – as supported by Lord Darzi in his report on public health in London published today – could be a major step forward in tackling this issue.
“This would start a chain reaction to encourage pubs and supermarkets to act more responsibly over the sale of alcohol and, in turn, bring about a societal change in attitudes and behaviour so that people will drink less,” she said. “This will reduce hospital admissions, improve people's physical and mental health, and ultimately save lives.”
Either way, it is unhealthy to hear that there was nearly 10 million alcohol related admissions and the cost attributed. Change needs to happen, and by the look of it – fast.
(Image: c. David Jones/PA Wire)
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