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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Over 45% of alcohol-related hospital admissions are repeat admissions
February 15, 2010 12:00 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have said that the Government can do more to help Doctors and Nurses tackle repeat alcohol-related hospital admissions, which currently represent 45% of such admissions.
The statistics, revealed by the Minister for Health in a written question by Peter Black AM, show that 45.7% of hospital admissions in 2008/09 were from someone who had been admitted to hospital with an alcohol related diagnosis within the previous twelve months. Alcohol is estimated to cost the Welsh NHS between £70 million and £85 million each year and is responsible for an estimated 15% of hospital admissions.
A report by the Royal College of Nursing showed that putting an 'Alcohol Liaison Nurse' in accident and emergency departments reduced readmissions and saved an average of £1,500 per patient.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister Peter Black said:
"We are all aware of the problems that alcohol can cause our health service as well as the considerable cost that comes with it. Having such a high readmission rate shows that when someone does come into contact with our NHS, not enough is being done to tackle the reason behind their behaviour."
"Trials of Alcohol Liaison Nurses in hospitals around the UK have shown them to be effective at lowering repeat attendances, improving the health of those they are involved with as well as saving the NHS more money than it costs to employ them."
"The trial by the Royal College of Nursing offers significant evidence to warrant a trial in Wales to see if similar results can be replicated across the country. There is an opportunity to help those who are abusing alcohol as well as saving the NHS money and it must be one that is taken."
"The Minister must look at a wider trial of Alcohol Liaison Nurses in several major Welsh Accident and Emergency units rather than just accepting that repeat admissions are a part of hospital life."
ENDS
Notes:
Question by Peter Black AM to the Minister for Health and Social Services:
Peter Black (South Wales West): What percentage of alcohol-related hospital admissions were repeat admissions in 2008-09. (WAQ55383)
Edwina Hart: Of those hospital admissions in 2008-09 for an alcohol-related diagnosis 45.7 per cent had been previously admitted to hospital for an alcohol-related diagnosis within the previous 12 months.
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