Latest figures from the NHS reveal that St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight saw a staggering 80% rise in the number of alcohol-related admissions between 2012/13 and 2018/19.
The NHS has this week revealed that in 2018, almost 175,000 people were admitted to hospitals across the South East because of alcohol.
Analysis of the statistics by alcohol addiction treatment experts UKAT reveals that the number of people admitted into hospital because of alcohol has risen across the South East by 30% since 2012/13, and is a figure that has continued to rise for the last 6 years.
In 2018/19, 172,790 people admitted to hospital where the primary reason or a secondary diagnosis was linked to alcohol, 6% more than the previous year (162,410) and 30% more than in 2012/13 (133,970). Conditions for hospital admission due to alcohol include cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, alcohol poisoning and alcoholic liver disease.
On the Island, a total of 3,370 admissions were recorded in 2018/19 compared to 1,870 in 2021/13 – an increase of 80%.
UKAT’s analysis shows the areas with the highest number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in 2018/19 include Kent (30,150), Hampshire (29,720) and Surrey (22,730). Over the last 6 years, their analysis shows huge rises in hospital admissions for Southampton (85%), Isle of Wight (80%) and Buckinghamshire (49%).
The only areas across the South East to have reduced the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions over the last 6 years are Brighton and Hove and East Sussex.
| Alcohol-related NHS hospital admissions in the South East | |||
| 2012/13 | 2018/19 | 6 year rise or fall in hospital admissions | |
| Bracknell Forest | 1,500 | 2,000 | 33% |
| Brighton and Hove | 4,640 | 3,850 | -17% |
| Buckinghamshire | 6,590 | 9,800 | 49% |
| East Sussex | 9,650 | 6,750 | -30% |
| Hampshire | 20,240 | 29,720 | 47% |
| Isle of Wight | 1,870 | 3,370 | 80% |
| Kent | 23,290 | 30,150 | 29% |
| Medway | 4,260 | 4,980 | 17% |
| Milton Keynes | 4,160 | 5,110 | 23% |
| Oxfordshire | 9,340 | 11,820 | 27% |
| Portsmouth | 3,470 | 4,290 | 24% |
| Reading | 1,720 | 2,640 | 53% |
| Slough | 2,150 | 3,060 | 42% |
| Southampton | 4,310 | 7,990 | 85% |
| Surrey | 17,420 | 22,730 | 30% |
| West Berkshire | 1,700 | 2,240 | 32% |
| West Sussex | 14,210 | 17,300 | 22% |
| Windsor and Maidenhead | 1,920 | 2,870 | 49% |
| Wokingham | 1,520 | 2,110 | 39% |
| NHS Statistics on Alcohol, analysed and presented by UK Addiction Treatment Group | |||
Nuno Albuquerque, Group Treatment Lead at addiction firm UKAT, comments:
“The problem with alcohol in this country is a ticking time bomb about to explode. NHS Hospitals in particular across the South East are crippling under pressures directly attributable to the misuse of alcohol; a drug that is so socially accepted yet so incredibly dangerous.
“People here are seemingly struggling with their alcohol consumption; drinking so much alcohol that it is leading to hospitalisation and the diagnosis of further, debilitating conditions, yet the Government continues to have their heads buried in the sand.
“The question is, why do we still not have an Alcohol-specific Strategy, as promised back in 2018? It is a huge problem and one that needs immediately addressed as a matter of urgency.”
For help, advice and local alcohol support services, visit www.ukat.co.uk/alcohol/v7/.
Interesting story. Thought I’d take a look at the published stats and look for other nuggets!
Looking at it ‘per person’ the Isle of Wight doesn’t come out too bad! In 2018/19 there were 2,050 Alcohol Related Hospital Admissions (Broad measure) per 100,000 persons on Isle of Wight. This is actually lower than the average for England which is 2,370 per 100,000. So Isle of Wight per person is lower than national average. Btw, Southampton was ‘top of the tree’ in England at 4,020 per 100,000.
However, there is a staggering jump in total Isle of Wight alcohol admissions in 2018/19, moving to 3,370 from only 2,390 in 2017/18 and 2,410 in 2016/17! That’s the story imo. Why such a big jump in a year? Has statistical recording changed or is it a true trend (which is unusual).
Btw, cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of alcohol related hospital admissions in England, accounting for 51%, followed by 17% for Mental and Behavioural Disorders due to Alcohol.
Hope useful addition…(apologies for any errors)
Make them pay for treatment they can afford to buy the drink
“They can afford to smoke, work in industrial careers, make them pay for cancer treatment”
This is what you sound like
someone else with the begging bowl out for the NHS again, claiming it is crippling under pressure.
Those in the NHS have been banging the underfunded drum for over 40 years – they were droning on about underfunding in the 1980’s –
the real issue is
poorly managed funds
wasteful purchasing
offering free treatment that is not actually life saving or intended for the healing of the sick.
and NHS tourists.
What a waste of NHS resources