News

ISD Scotland released figures yesterday outlining alcohol-related hospital discharges in Scotland. Some of the key figures are as follows:

 

• In 2010/11, there were 38,825 alcohol-related discharges from general acute hospitals in Scotland.
• This is a decrease by 2% from 2009/10 (which was 39,344 discharges).
•  Although there has been a 2% decrease overall, six out of 14 health board areas saw an increase in the number of discharges in the past year (Dumfries, Glasgow, Lothian, Orkney, Tayside, Western Isles).
• In 2010/11, over 71% of alcohol-related discharges were male.
• Rates of alcohol-related discharge were highest in the 50 to 54 years age group with a rate of 1,319 discharges per 100,000 population.
• In the last year the rate of alcohol-related discharges has decreased for all age groups with the exception of the 35-39 age group which has shown an increase.
• In 2010/11, the rate of alcohol-related discharges from general acute hospitals was 7.6 times greater from patients living in the most deprived areas (category 1) compared to those living in the least deprived areas. 
• Of the 38,825 alcohol-related discharges in Scotland during 2010/11, 91% of discharges relate to emergency admissions. The day of the week with the highest number of alcohol-related emergency admissions was Sunday with 5,398 emergency admissions, although the number of discharges is relatively similar across all the days.