Director of Public Health Annual Report 2012 [pdf] - Stoke-on-Trent ...

Alcohol admissions
For many people, having a drink remains a harmless and enjoyable part <strong>of</strong> their lives.
However, this is not the case for everyone. In <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent, in 2008/2009, it was estimated
that 25% <strong>of</strong> adults (aged 16 and over) were ‘increasing and high risk’ drinkers. This is higher
than the estimated average in England <strong>of</strong> 22.3% <strong>of</strong> adults.
In 2010/2011, there were nearly 1.2 million hospital admissions for alcohol-related harm in
England. Such excesses can have serious health and social consequences for drinkers.
Excessive drinking is associated with higher death rates from circulatory disease, cirrhosis <strong>of</strong>
the liver, stomach cancers, suicides and violence. Similarly, the health <strong>of</strong> others is affected
by such excesses through increases in physical and sexual assaults, crime, motor accidents,
domestic abuse, child abuse and breakdowns in marriages.
Mortality rates from alcohol-specific (and alcohol-attributable) conditions in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent
are higher than the England average, as are
hospital admission rates. Hospital admission rates There were 5,645 hospital
and mortality are higher locally among males, admissions for alcohol related harm
in 2010/2011
whilst there has also been an increase in mortality
and admission rates over the past five years (among both males and females). Across a
number <strong>of</strong> other indicators, such as mortality from chronic liver disease, alcohol-related
recorded crime and violent crime, rates are higher in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent compared with
England.
Locally, the cost <strong>of</strong> alcohol related hospital admissions in 2010/2011 was £14.9m. Based on
a national indicator, the hospital admissions rate for alcohol related harm in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent
was 2,058.9 (per 100,000 population, all ages) in 2010/2011 (compared with 1,895.2 in
England). This means there were 5,645 hospital admissions for alcohol related harm locally
in 2010/2011. Having said this, whilst the admission rate in <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent remains above
the national average, the local rate is the lowest it has been since 2005/2006, and the gap in
the rate between <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent and England continues to reduce.
Drug addiction
Drug addiction leads to significant crime, health and social costs; drug treatment reduces
this and lowers the number <strong>of</strong> both drug-related deaths and the rate <strong>of</strong> blood-borne
diseases. When engaged in treatment, people use fewer illegal drugs, commit less crime,
improve their health, and manage their lives better which also benefits the community.
Preventing early drop out and keeping people in treatment long enough to benefit
contributes to these improved outcomes. As people progress through treatment, the benefits
to them, their families and the community start to accrue.
In <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent in 2011/12, 1,533 crack and opiate users were engaged in effective
treatment. Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccinations were accepted by 73% <strong>of</strong> people new to treatment
compared to 48% nationally; 85% were tested for hepatitis C, compared to 70% nationally
and 57 people also received treatment for hepatitis C in community clinics jointly delivered
by the University Hospital North Staffordshire and the community drug service.
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