Alcohol cases 'clog up hospitals'

The true scale of the number of people treated in hospital for alcohol-related illness is much higher than official figures suggest, ministers admit. Government figures for England showed that more than 800,000 people were admitted for injuries and disease linked to drinking last year. Office for National Statistics data had suggested the figure for hospital admissions was just over 200,000. But ministers said that data was too narrowly defined. Instead, they admited that once admissions for alcohol-related heart disease, cancer and strokes were included the true figure was much higher. Health Secretary Alan Johnson said people should start taking more responsibility for their lifestyles. Ministers are set to outline plans to tackle the alcohol problem at a briefing on Tuesday. Proposals are thought to include tighter... [read full story]