The number of adult alcohol-related admissions
to an inner London hospital has tripled in the last four years, new
research shows.
The three psychiatrists who carried out the
study claim the results “raise concerns about the changing of the
licensing laws”. 1 Moreover, if this
trend is repeated in other hospitals in the UK, they believe it
will have “significant ramifications” on NHS resources.
The study, which was presented this week at
the annual meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Faculty
of General and Community Psychiatry, examined trends in
alcohol-related treatment at two inner London hospitals –
University College Hospital (UCH) and the Whittington Hospital. The
data spanned a four-year period (2004-2008) and included both
presentations to A&E and medical admissions.
Psychiatrists Dr Andrew Smith, Dr Mrigank
Mishra and Dr Christopher McEvedy found that the total number of
adult alcohol-related in-patient admissions at the two hospitals
rose from 998 in 2004-05, to 2,690 in 2007-08.
There was also an increase in the total number
of adult alcohol-related attendances to A&E, from 2,560 in
2004-05 to 3,434 in 2007-08.
However, while figures for UCH demonstrated a
direct trend, no apparent trend was seen in the Whittington data.
The authors hypothesize this difference is accounted for by the
geographic location of the two hospitals. Compared to the
Whittington, UCH is located in an area of central London with a
higher concentration of bars, pubs and nightclubs. Hence, patients
who have consumed excessive quantities of alcohol are more likely
to be seen at UCH.
In a separate study, the researchers also
examined trends in teenage alcohol-related presentations. No
increase in hospital admissions was observed, although the number
of A&E attendances for under-18s rose from 98 in 2004/05 to 165
to 2007/08.
The researchers said: “This increase coincides
approximately with the change in the licensing laws. While
under-18s might not generally be expected to be drinking in
licensed premises, the law changes also affected off-licenses which
may be of relevance.”
They went on to conclude: “Overall, our
research raises concerns that, since the changing of licensing
laws, an increase in the presentation of alcohol-related illnesses
to these hospitals has occurred. A three-fold increase in the total
number of adult admissions is noted at one hospital which if
repeated at other centres, would have significant ramifications on
NHS resources if this trend continues.”
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of General and Community Psychiatry Annual Meeting, 16-17 October 2008, Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Manchester.
Note to editors:
1 The Licensing Act 2003 came into effect on 24 November 2005.