NHS admissions reach all-time high as ageing population fuels a 25% rise

November 9, 2016

People aged between 65 and 69 recorded around 1.3 million admissions
While patients aged 44 and under reported a 9% increase in hospital stays
But among 45 year olds, the increase was almost 44% on the year previous

Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

Published:
09:49 EST, 9 November 2016

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Updated:
10:28 EST, 9 November 2016

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Hospital admissions across the NHS in England rose to record levels last year, new figures show.

During 2015-16, there were 16.2 million patients requiring hospital treatment – up 25 per cent on a decade ago.

People aged between 65 and 69 were responsible for 1.3 million admissions – the biggest number of a single age group.

Overall, the average age of patients needing a stay in hospital has been rising for several years.

During 2015-16, there were 16.2 million patients requiring hospital treatment – up 25 per cent on a decade ago, new figures show

New data from NHS Digital shows admissions for patients aged 44 and under increased by around nine per cent.

However, among adults of the age of 45, the increase was almost 44 per cent on 2005-06.

Over the same time period, the population has also grown, although at a much lower rate than hospital admissions.

In comparison, population has risen by around eight per cent while hospital admissions have seen nearly a 30 per cent growth.

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Experts say the figures could be a result of patients being sent home too early from hospital – leaving them prone to further stays.

Almost one in three families were found to not have the right support in place to care for elderly relatives leaving hospital, a report last year discovered.

The mounting pressure on the NHS in regards to a bed shortage mean people are being sent home without adequate support.

While other research has found some patients are being admitted unnecessarily during the week – heaping pressure on already over-stretched services.

People aged between 65 and 69 were responsible for 1.3 million admissions – the biggest number of a single age group

Janet Morrison, chief executive of the older people’s charity Independent Age, said: ‘These figures highlight the need for a greater emphasis in the coming years on preventing hospital admissions through better public health, GP access and community care.

‘What we are now seeing is that it is people aged 65 to 69 who are being admitted to hospital in the greatest numbers.

‘As this group ages, we need an approach to maintaining health that avoids where possible ever-increasing numbers of older people going into hospital.

‘This means ensuring everyone has access to high-quality primary and community care that is sustainably funded.’

It comes after research in June found more than a million people in England were admitted to hospital for abusing alcohol.

There were an estimated 1.09 million admissions in 2014-15, a slight increase on the year previous.

Of these people, an alcohol-related disease, injury or condition was the primary reason for admission or a secondary diagnosis – with men responsible for the most.