Scottish Liberal Democrat leader has today called for a
15p increase in the minimum unit price to 65p as new
figures revealed that there were more than 35,000 alcohol-related
hospital admissions in 2020/21.
Figures published by Public Health Scotland today reveal that:
- In the financial year 2020/21 there were 35,124
alcohol-related hospital admissions (stays) in Scotland. The
majority of alcohol-related hospital admissions (94%) were
treated in general acute hospitals (33,015). 2,109 (6%)
admissions occurred in psychiatric hospitals.
- People in the most deprived areas were seven times more
likely to be admitted to general acute hospitals for an
alcohol-related condition than those in the least deprived areas
(968 per 100,000 population compared to 144 per 100,000
population).
Mr Cole-Hamilton said:
“Every day almost 100 Scots are admitted to hospital for
alcohol-related related reasons.
"Not only can alcohol wreck the lives of those who misuse it, it
has huge effects on families and communities too.
“Experts have suggested that raising the minimum unit
price to 65p in line with the original ambition of the policy
would cut alcohol misuse and reduce the pressure on our health
and justice systems. Once this step has been taken Scottish
Liberal Democrats are keen to see the minimum unit
price of alcohol linked to inflation so that the value of the
policy does not decrease over time.
“The Health Secretary needs to set out fresh measures to help
Scotland win it’s battle with the bottle.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Public Health Scotland figures can be found here.
