Fall in booze-linked hospital episodes

The number of hospital admissions linked to alcohol has fallen by almost 15 per cent in Calderdale in six years.

Figures from Public Health England show drink-related admissions were down by 14.6 per cent between 2009-10 and 2014-15.

The figure for Calderdale fell while other local authority areas in Yorkshire saw double-digit rises in alcohol-linked hospital episodes.

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It was up by 38.4 per cent in York, 25 per cent in Wakefield and 16.8 per cent in North Kirklees.

Calderdale health bosses welcomed the improvement locally.

But they were still keen to warn people of the dangers of alcohol harm, which costs the NHS around £3,5bn a year.

Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which controls the local health budget, said it was improving alcohol treatment services, which include interventions for people who end up in hospital through drink.

A CCG spokesman said: “While these figures from Public Health England represent good news for Calderdale, there are still concerns about the effects of alcohol on the health and well-being of local residents.

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“Calderdale CCG works with partners in the public and voluntary sectors to raise awareness of the risks of high levels of alcohol consumption, including significant work with young people in schools and colleges.”

The latest chief medical officer’s guidance on alcohol says it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week and to spread that amount over several days. One unit is equivalent to around half a pint of 4.1 per cent ABV lager.

Other local authority areas to reduce booze-related hospital admissions included Leeds, Hull and Lincolnshire.

Experts say excessive drinking is linked to more than 60 health conditions, including cancers and cirrhosis of the liver.