NHS hospitals ‘are becoming busier’

NHS hospitals across the country have seen a growing influx of patients over the last ten years, according to a new report.

Data from the NHS Information Centre shows there were 16,806,200 hospital stays during 2009-10, a 38 percent increase compared to 1999-2000.

It was found that admissions for patients aged 75 or older have grown at a faster rate than any other age group, with the average age of hospital patients increasing from 46 to 51.

NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: "It is clear that the effects of England's ageing population are being felt in secondary care."

Other findings from the study showed that musculoskeletal and connective tissue ailments were the fastest-growing cause of admissions, while it was also noted that the average length of hospital stays has fallen by 28 percent.

This comes after the government pledged to increase NHS spending by 0.4 percent in real terms over the next five years as part of plans outlined in the Spending Review.