More drinkers in hospital

Record numbers of adults and young people are being admitted to hospital for drink-related diseases.

Official statistics obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions has increased by 28 per cent over the past eight years.

For adults the figure, which covers admissions for alcohol poisoning and liver disease, rose by 30 per cent, and for underage drinkers it was up by 15 per cent.

Between 2004 and 2005, there were 46,299 adults in hospital with drink-related problems, a number that had risen from 35,740 between 1996 and 1997.

There were 4,809 underage drinkers admitted in 2004-5, up from 4,173 in 1996-97.

Paul Burstow, health spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, said it was “vital” that more steps were taken to prevent binge drinking.

He said: “‘Tis the season to be jolly but, as these figures show, our binge drinking culture is leading to more and more people being admitted to hospital as a result of having too much to drink.

“It is vital that preventative measures to tackle the causes of these hospital admissions, such as alcohol treatment services, are not scrapped.”

Pubs were allowed to sell alcohol all day for the first time last month, after licensing laws were changed in England and Wales.

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