THE number of people being admitted to hospital in Cheshire West and Chester due to alcohol has shown a sharp rise, latest figures have revealed.

A total of 7,180 people in and around Chester were treated in 2018/19, compared to 6,070 in 2012/13, an increase of 18 per cent.

Across the North West almost 200,000 people were admitted to hospitals because of alcohol.

Analysis of the statistics by alcohol addiction treatment experts UKAT reveals that the number of people admitted into hospital because of alcohol has risen across the North West by 18 per cent since 2012/13, and is a figure that has continued to rise for the last six years.

In 2018/19, 192,250 people were admitted to hospital where the primary reason or a secondary diagnosis was linked to alcohol, seven per cent more than the previous year (180,330) and 18 per cent more than in 2012/13 (163,170).

Conditions for hospital admission due to alcohol include cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, alcohol poisoning, and alcoholic liver disease.

UKAT’s analysis shows the areas with the highest number of alcohol-related hospital admissions in 2018/19 include Lancashire (31,530), Liverpool (14,270), Manchester (12,370) and Cumbria ( 11,790).

Only Wigan has seen a reduction in the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions, falling from 9,140 in 2012/13 to 9,020 in 2018/19.

In Wirral figures highlight a 35 per cent increase from Wirral 7,790 in 2012/13 to 10,530 in 2018/19.

Nuno Albuquerque, group treatment lead at addiction firm, UKAT said: “The problem with alcohol in this country is a ticking time bomb about to explode. NHS Hospitals in particular across the North West are crippling under pressures directly attributable to the misuse of alcohol; a drug that is so socially accepted yet so incredibly dangerous. 

“People here are seemingly struggling with their alcohol consumption; drinking so much alcohol that it is leading to hospitalisation and the diagnosis of further, debilitating conditions, yet the Government continues to have their heads buried in the sand. 

“The question is, why do we still not have an Alcohol-specific Strategy, as promised back in 2018? It is a huge problem and one that needs immediately addressed as a matter of urgency.”