More than 11,000 alcohol-related admissions to Sheffield hospitals last year

Between April 2018 and March 2019, there were 11,240 admissions in the city in which alcohol was listed as either a primary or secondary factor.

Over the last six years, the numbers have risen by almost 14 per cent, with 9,860 people being admitted to hospital for alcohol-related reasons between April 2017 and March 2018.

Across Yorkshire as a whole, almost 130,000 people were admitted to hospitals because of alcohol, a rise of 4 per cent since the previous year, when 123,380 were admitted, and a rise of 20 per cent since 2012/13.

Greg Fell, director of public health at Sheffield Council said: “It is sad to see an increase in alcohol-related admissions to hospitals in Sheffield.

“Unfortunately, this is in line with a rise in admissions seen across the UK and is linked to an overall increase in the population across the country.

“Despite the rate of admissions being similar to the national average in 2012/13, in 2018/19 the rate in Sheffield was significantly better compared to national figures.

“Admissions for men with alcohol-related issues has fallen well below the national average year on year over the last decade. So, although an increase can be seen locally, when seen against figures nationally, admissions rates are lower and have improved for both male and female admissions.

“Improvements can be put down to the hard work undertaken by partners involved in the Sheffield Alcohol Strategy which exists to make sure the right support is available for people struggling with alcohol issues and addiction in the city.

“The current strategy will continue into 2021 with new priorities set and agreed by the Sheffield Drug and Alcohol Strategic Board. Reducing alcohol-related hospital admissions is one of the key priorities in the strategy.”

Conditions for hospital admission due to alcohol include intoxication and alcohol poisoning, but also illnesses like cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and alcoholic liver disease.

The number of men admitted to hospital for alcohol in the region outnumbers women by two to one.