News
Alcohol associated with 37% of major trauma cases
18/06/2012
Alcohol played some role in 37% of around 5000 incidents over the past year, which also includes assaults and accidental injuries. The data also suggests that the more severe a trauma was, the more likely it was that alcohol was involved.
NHS Scotland’s information services division said the statistic is "alarming". It is the first time alcohol has been recorded in this way, in relation to trauma injuries.
The report stated: "Information was collected for the first time in 2011 as to whether alcohol had been associated with the trauma. Results show that the likelihood of the involvement of alcohol rises in line with the severity of trauma sustained.
"The fact that alcohol was associated with almost 40% of major trauma is an alarming statistic."
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Trauma care in Scotland is of a very high standard and this report shows that there has been an improvement in overall survival of trauma patients since the last audit period in 2002.
"However, the report also shows the increasing involvement of alcohol in severe traumas, with alcohol associated with almost 40% of incidents. This is far too high but the latest in a long line of statistics that show why we are so committed to tackling Scotland's poor relationship with alcohol.
Summary report
Read more here.
NHS Scotland’s information services division said the statistic is "alarming". It is the first time alcohol has been recorded in this way, in relation to trauma injuries.
The report stated: "Information was collected for the first time in 2011 as to whether alcohol had been associated with the trauma. Results show that the likelihood of the involvement of alcohol rises in line with the severity of trauma sustained.
"The fact that alcohol was associated with almost 40% of major trauma is an alarming statistic."
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Trauma care in Scotland is of a very high standard and this report shows that there has been an improvement in overall survival of trauma patients since the last audit period in 2002.
"However, the report also shows the increasing involvement of alcohol in severe traumas, with alcohol associated with almost 40% of incidents. This is far too high but the latest in a long line of statistics that show why we are so committed to tackling Scotland's poor relationship with alcohol.
Summary report
Read more here.