TAMESIDE Hospital saw its highest ever level of alcohol-related admissions, according to newly-released data.
Some 4,699 people were taken in over the 2019/20 period, rising from 4,413 the previous year, statistics from the Government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities revealed.
The six per cent increase is the fourth consecutive annual rise after data took into account admissions where either the primary diagnosis or one of the secondary diagnoses is an alcohol-related condition.
And analysis by addiction experts UKAT showed the 435 people suffering from alcoholic liver disease represented a 16 per cent increase on the previous year.
Some 1,192 people were admitted for mental and behavioural disorders linked to alcohol, while 2,044 people were admitted for alcohol-related cardiovascular disease.
Nuno Albuquerque, head of treatment at UKAT, which runs rehab clinics, said: “Tameside General Hospital was hit with over 4,500 alcohol-related admissions in 2019/20, the highest on record. The problem here is worsening and is putting a lot of strain on the NHS.
“We’d hope that Tameside 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 which will force the Council into spending the money on these services.
“If they don’t, the problem with alcohol in Tameside could become a much bigger beast to tame in the next couple of years than anyone could imagine.”