Alcohol kills 22 Scots every week, shock report finds
● Alcohol abuse, hospital infections, HIV and obesity in the NHS spotlight
An average of 22 people in Scotland die from alcohol misuse each week, according to a sobering report by Scotland’s chief medical officer.
And Dr Catherine Calderwood found that alcohol abuse accounts for an average of 674 hospital admissions per week.
In 2015, 10.8 litres of pure alcohol was sold per Scottish adult, the equivalent of 20.8 units per adult per week – 33 per cent above the 14 per week recommended safe limit.
Around 22 people in Scotland die from alcohol misuse each week, according to a snapshot of the nation’s health which paints a stark picture of the challenges facing the NHS.
Alcohol abuse accounts for an average of 674 hospital admissions per week, according to the annual report by Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood.
The report “Realising Realistic Medicine” also identified rising levels of hospital infections, the continuing battle against HIV and a high rate of obesity.
A chapter titled “The Health of the Nation” noted Scotland continued to consume higher quantities of alcohol than elsewhere in the UK with sales 20 per cent higher north of the border than in England and Wales.
Sales have also increased in Scotland over the last two years, after a fall between 2009 and 2013.
In 2015 10.8 litres of pure alcohol was sold per Scottish adult. That was the equivalent of 20.8 units per adult per week – substantially more than the 14 units per week recommended safe limit.
In 2015, 74 per cent of alcoholic drinks were sold from supermarkets and off-licences – a record high.
“Levels of alcohol related harm remain unacceptably high in Scotland,” the report said. “Both deaths and admissions remain many times higher than in the 1980s.”
Dr Calderwood said: “Scotland has a difficult relationship with alcohol, with the most harm being caused by cheap, high strength alcohol. That’s why we remain totally committed to minimum unit pricing.”
Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Donald Cameron said: “These figures should focus minds in the Scottish Government, and act as a reminder that Scotland still has an incredibly difficult public health challenge ahead.”
When it came to harmful infections, the report said there had been a 52 per cent year-on-year increase in E. Coli bacteraemia (bacteraemia is defined as when an infection gets into the blood stream) between 2011 and 2015.
There were 4,596 cases of E. Coli bacteraemia (ECB) in 2015, half of which were healthcare associated.
Health Protection Scotland is working with NHS Board infection control teams to improve ECB surveillance.
Across the adult population nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of adults are overweight, with almost one third (29 per cent) classed as obese.
Around 15 per cent of primary one pupils are overweight, obese or severely obese.