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07-22-2008, 12:46 PM
Hospital alcohol admissions soar
Hospital admissions linked to alcohol use have more than doubled in England since 1995, an NHS report shows.
Alcohol was the main or secondary cause of 207,800 NHS admissions in 2006/7, compared to 93,500 in 1995/96.
There has also been a 20% rise in the number of GP prescriptions for treating alcohol dependency in the past four years, the NHS Information Centre said.
The British Liver Trust warned that the health impact of alcohol would only get worse in years to come.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, agreed that alcohol was placing an ever-increasing burden on the NHS.
Hospital admissions linked to alcohol use have more than doubled in England since 1995, an NHS report shows.
Alcohol was the main or secondary cause of 207,800 NHS admissions in 2006/7, compared to 93,500 in 1995/96.
There has also been a 20% rise in the number of GP prescriptions for treating alcohol dependency in the past four years, the NHS Information Centre said.
The British Liver Trust warned that the health impact of alcohol would only get worse in years to come.
Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, agreed that alcohol was placing an ever-increasing burden on the NHS.