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| A&E visits for alcohol harm tops quarter of a million | A&E visits for alcohol harm tops quarter of a million |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Emergency hospital admissions due to the harmful effects of alcohol have risen by more than 50% in nine years and now top 250,000 a year in England. | Emergency hospital admissions due to the harmful effects of alcohol have risen by more than 50% in nine years and now top 250,000 a year in England. |
| Rates were higher in deprived areas and in the north of England, statistics from the Nuffield Trust reveal. | |
| The findings also show young females are the group most often treated for poisoning from harmful binges. | The findings also show young females are the group most often treated for poisoning from harmful binges. |
| The government said it had taken action to tackle cheap alcohol by banning the lowest priced drinks. | The government said it had taken action to tackle cheap alcohol by banning the lowest priced drinks. |
| The Nuffield Trust said the real number of those admitted to A&E due to alcohol would be higher because it the figures do not include alcohol-fuelled falls and fights, just illnesses such as alcohol poisoning and liver disease. | |
| Nor does it count people who come to A&E drunk and are then sent home. | Nor does it count people who come to A&E drunk and are then sent home. |
| Men aged 45-64 made up the most admissions. | |
| Bingers and chronic boozers | Bingers and chronic boozers |
| Half of all A&E attendances likely to be due to alcohol poisoning took place on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, peaking between midnight and 2am. | Half of all A&E attendances likely to be due to alcohol poisoning took place on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, peaking between midnight and 2am. |
| Three in four arrived by ambulance - putting a strain on already stretched resources, said the Nuffield Trust. | Three in four arrived by ambulance - putting a strain on already stretched resources, said the Nuffield Trust. |
| The report also found young women aged 15 to 19 were admitted to hospital for alcohol poisoning 1.4 times as often as young men in the same age group. | |
| A&E attendance rates that are likely to be due to alcohol poisoning and emergency hospital admissions linked to alcohol were three to four times higher in the poorest fifth of the population, the figures showed. | |
| There were also more hospital admissions in the north of England and in urban areas. | |
| Joint author of the report Claire Currie said: "With the Christmas party season in full swing, it's worth considering the full burden over-indulgence in alcohol is placing on our NHS, as well as the obvious human cost. | Joint author of the report Claire Currie said: "With the Christmas party season in full swing, it's worth considering the full burden over-indulgence in alcohol is placing on our NHS, as well as the obvious human cost. |
| "Our research has uncovered a picture of rising and avoidable activity in hospitals, representing a stark challenge for the Health Service at a time when it's already great pressure. Hospitals alone cannot tackle this issue - the government must consider measures such as minimum unit pricing, restricting availability and limiting marketing and advertising." | "Our research has uncovered a picture of rising and avoidable activity in hospitals, representing a stark challenge for the Health Service at a time when it's already great pressure. Hospitals alone cannot tackle this issue - the government must consider measures such as minimum unit pricing, restricting availability and limiting marketing and advertising." |
| In England in 2013, approximately 18% of men and 13% of women drank at a level considered to be putting them at increased risk of harm. | In England in 2013, approximately 18% of men and 13% of women drank at a level considered to be putting them at increased risk of harm. |
| In 2013/14, approximately 1 in 20 emergency admissions in England were related to alcohol. | In 2013/14, approximately 1 in 20 emergency admissions in England were related to alcohol. |
| In recent years, alcohol admissions have been going down in Scotland and stabilising in Wales. | In recent years, alcohol admissions have been going down in Scotland and stabilising in Wales. |
| Jackie Ballard, of Alcohol Concern, said middle-aged and older people drinking above recommended limits, often in their own homes, were of particular concern. | Jackie Ballard, of Alcohol Concern, said middle-aged and older people drinking above recommended limits, often in their own homes, were of particular concern. |
| "These are the people who tend to require the most complex and expensive health care due to the mental and physical problems caused by drinking too much and alcohol's impact on the ageing body. | "These are the people who tend to require the most complex and expensive health care due to the mental and physical problems caused by drinking too much and alcohol's impact on the ageing body. |
| "Alcohol is linked to over 60 medical conditions and unless society and the government starts to take this seriously and acknowledges the health problems too much alcohol can cause, the situation will only get worse and the NHS will continue to strain under the burden of alcohol harm." | "Alcohol is linked to over 60 medical conditions and unless society and the government starts to take this seriously and acknowledges the health problems too much alcohol can cause, the situation will only get worse and the NHS will continue to strain under the burden of alcohol harm." |
| A government spokesman said: "People should always drink alcohol responsibly - very busy ambulance services and A&E staff can do without this extra demand. | A government spokesman said: "People should always drink alcohol responsibly - very busy ambulance services and A&E staff can do without this extra demand. |
| "The government has taken action to tackle cheap alcohol by banning the lowest priced drinks and we are already seeing fewer young people drinking on a regular basis." | "The government has taken action to tackle cheap alcohol by banning the lowest priced drinks and we are already seeing fewer young people drinking on a regular basis." |