Worrying figures show that more people in Bolton are admitted to hospital for liver disease than the national average with rates for alcoholic related illness rising.

Figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities suggest there were 535 hospital admissions for liver disease in Bolton last year – equivalent to 193 admissions for every 100,000 people.

This was higher than an average of 153 hospitalisations per 100,000 people across England.

National admission rates have increased by 22 per cent in the year to 2021-22 compared to the year before – rising to 82,000 from 67,000 in 2020-21.

Admissions where the primary diagnosis was alcoholic liver disease also rose by 12 per cent over the same period.

Local figures are not comparable to the previous year due to a change in how rates are calculated.

Generally, men are more likely to be hospitalised for liver disease.

In Bolton, there were 240 admissions for liver disease per 100,000 men in the area, compared to 149 for women.

Across both sexes, the North West saw a hospitalisation rate of 161 for liver disease.

The South East had the lowest rate of any region in England, at 127 hospitalisations per 100,000 people, while the North East had the highest, at 190.

Francis Andrews, Medical Director at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are always here to help those who need us, whether that is when people are very unwell as a result of liver problems, or when they need advice and guidance on living a healthier lifestyle from our dedicated alcohol and liver specialists. 

“We are committed to working with our partners throughout Bolton and Greater Manchester to improve the health of our communities, reduce health inequalities and give support to those who need it.”

Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust says: "The alarming rise in liver disease cases in Bolton and nationwide underscores the urgent need for government action on obesity and alcohol misuse, the primary causes.

“There must be reformulation of high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods, restrictions on advertising unhealthy products, and improved access to weight management services to address the widespread prevalence of excess weight and obesity across different demographics.

“In addition, we need concrete measures aimed at reducing the affordability and acceptability of alcohol in our society, to reduce the million-plus alcohol-related hospital admissions annually in England.

“By taking immediate action in education, raising awareness, and promoting healthier lifestyles, we can begin to tackle this public health emergency.”

Andrew Misell, a director at the Alcohol Change UK charity, said the rise in alcohol-related health issues – including liver disease – are "both a tragedy and crisis".

"We must respond with not only treatment, but prevention," he said.

"We must stop people reaching the stage when they need to attend hospital."

He urged for the introduction of minimum-unit pricing on alcohol, alongside restrictions on how alcohol is advertised.

Mr Misell continued: "The most effective way to prevent alcohol-related liver problems is to avoid alcohol."

"But if you do drink, then do so within the low-risk guidelines of no more than 14 units a week, which means about six pints of normal strength beer or one and a half bottles of wine per week and spreading your intake over three days or more with a few alcohol-free days too," he advised.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Identifying disease early in those at-risk and supporting them to stop drinking is key to halt or even reverse damage to the liver."

“That’s why it’s good news an increasing number of people are coming forward for alcohol risk assessments as part of the NHS health check," they added.

They said they are investing £532 million into drug and alcohol treatment services, and care teams in hospitals with the most alcohol-related hospital admissions.

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