Pat
12-15-2009, 09:52 PM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6818021/A-million-drinkers-ended-up-in-hospital-last-year.html
Figures released in a written Parliamentary answer show that 945,223 people were admitted to hospital with conditions in which alcohol was the primary or secondary diagnosis during the last financial year.
On average, 1,583 drinkers per 100,000 of population were hospitalised during 2008/9 compared to 1,144 in 2004/5 when a total of 644,185 were treated.
Rates were highest in the North East of England, where there were 2,254 admissions per 100,000 of population, followed by the North West, with 2,081, and the West Midlands on 1,662.
The South Central region saw the lowest level of hospital admissions, followed by the South East and London.
Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: “This Government claims to be taking action to halt the rise of binge drinking in this country but the number of people ending up in hospital continue to rise year on year.
“Alcohol-related illness is reaching epidemic proportions in Britain. We cannot continue to ignore the seriousness of this health crisis.
“Only a complete change to our drinking culture will prevent huge numbers of people from being condemned to serious alcohol related illnesses.
“Unless we invest in treatment services and put an end to alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices then these figures are only set to get worse.”
Surely the NHS can fix it all.
Either that or tax alcohol at a higher rate.
IT'S A CRISIS!!!!
Figures released in a written Parliamentary answer show that 945,223 people were admitted to hospital with conditions in which alcohol was the primary or secondary diagnosis during the last financial year.
On average, 1,583 drinkers per 100,000 of population were hospitalised during 2008/9 compared to 1,144 in 2004/5 when a total of 644,185 were treated.
Rates were highest in the North East of England, where there were 2,254 admissions per 100,000 of population, followed by the North West, with 2,081, and the West Midlands on 1,662.
The South Central region saw the lowest level of hospital admissions, followed by the South East and London.
Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: “This Government claims to be taking action to halt the rise of binge drinking in this country but the number of people ending up in hospital continue to rise year on year.
“Alcohol-related illness is reaching epidemic proportions in Britain. We cannot continue to ignore the seriousness of this health crisis.
“Only a complete change to our drinking culture will prevent huge numbers of people from being condemned to serious alcohol related illnesses.
“Unless we invest in treatment services and put an end to alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices then these figures are only set to get worse.”
Surely the NHS can fix it all.
Either that or tax alcohol at a higher rate.
IT'S A CRISIS!!!!