NEW data has revealed that the NHS in Solihull is being hit with its highest ever alcohol-related hospital admissions.
The news comes from the government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities which has released official statistics showing that in 2019/20, NHS services in Solihull were hit with a 12 per cent rise in annual alcohol-related hospital admissions.
In all 4,343 people were admitted to Solihull Hospital in 2019/20 due to the effects of alcohol – the highest on record – rising from 3,861 the previous year.
Of these 3,095 were male and 1,248 were female.
This is the fourth consecutive annual rise in alcohol-related hospital admissions, up from 3,363 in 2017/18 and 3,310 in 2016/17.
Analysis of the data by alcohol-addiction experts UKAT (UK Addiction Treatment Centres) found that in 2019/20, 281 people were admitted for alcoholic liver disease, up 12 per cent on the previous year.
A staggering 907 people were admitted for mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol, up 35 per cent on the previous year.
Some 1,995 were admitted for alcohol-related cardiovascular disease, up 10 per cent on the previous year.
The remainder were for alcohol-related unintentional injuries and intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to alcohol.
Nuno Albuquerque from UKAT said: “Solihull Hospital was hit with more than 4,000 alcohol-related admissions in 2019/20, the highest on record.
“We’d hope that Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council would now look at these figures and take real, effective action.
“We’re also calling on the government to reinstate ring fenced budgets for awareness, education and treatment of alcohol related problems.”
Solihull Council’s cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Tony Dicicco, said: “We are aware the pandemic has had a major impact on public health far beyond actual Covid-19 cases and a number of studies have identified how levels of harmful drinking increased significantly.
“The council is committed to reducing harm from alcohol and, through our commissioned service Solihull Integrated Addiction Service (SIAS), we continue to take effective action in terms of education, awareness and treatment.
“Alcohol Care Teams provide specialist interventions and input into the care of alcohol dependent patients admitted to hospitals.
“Working with licencing, police, Solihull BID and SIAS colleagues inclusive of peers in recovery, continues to support Solihull as an area where people can safely enjoy themselves.
“Events are being planned during the Christmas period to engage with the public and provide a safe place for them to have a break from consuming alcohol.”
