One in four re-admitted to hospital within 30 days
MORE than one in 10 patients discharged from Leicestershire hospitals after booze-related illnesses are readmitted for the same reason within 30 days.
New NHS figures show that 411 emergency readmissions took place in the county between April 2015 and March 2018.
It means that one in every nine people was back in A&E within just 30 days because of things like liver disease and alcohol poisoning.
The rate is, surprisingly, better than the national average.
Some 23,288 people were readmitted to hospitals in England within 30 days because of alcohol - a rate of one in every eight people.
The figures, from NHS Digital, count the number of people admitted to hospital for alcohol-specific illnesses who were then readmitted again for alcoholrelated reasons within a month.
The data shows that Leicester City CCG had the highest rate of readmissions in our city, with one in every seven patients back in hospital in less than a month.
The NHS advises that long-term alcohol misuse can cause strokes, cancers, and heart disease, as well as social problems like unemployment and divorce.
Mark Leyshon, senior policy and research officer at Alcohol Concern, said: “Over a longer period, heavy drinkers are susceptible to various types of physiological damage; they are particularly vulnerable to developing mental health problems, and alcohol is linked to depression, anxiety and suicide.
“They are also at higher risk of developing problems with their physical health, such as increased blood pressure and high cholesterol - major triggers of heart attacks and strokes - as well as liver disease and cancer.
“If someone you’re close to is struggling with alcohol, helping them gain access to the right specialist advice and support can make the world of difference to them. You’ll likely be desperate to help, but not necessarily be sure how.
“The first step is always to try talking to your loved one about their drinking, in a compassionate and empathetic way. Try to avoid being judgemental about their drinking; rather, frame the conversation around your own feelings about their drinking and why you have become concerned.
“It will likely take several conversations before your loved one agrees to get help, but the good news is that recovery is possible and there are many places where you can find support and advice, like your GP, local alcohol treatment services and support groups.”