Alcohol consumption is one of the key modifiable drivers of demand for acute health services. Currently up to 10% of beds are occupied with patients suffering from alcohol related illnesses and accounts for up to 30% of emergency hospital presentations. The mean length of stay for hospital discharges has increased steadily from 6.0 days in 1995 to 10.1 days in 2013. Analysis of revenue data demonstrates that alcohol consumption has steadily increased since 2013 which results in prolonged and more complex stays in hospital (5.7 days compared to 2.3 days for non-alcohol related). Alcohol misuse is a risk factor for many serious conditions including cancers, heart disease, stroke, accidents and suicide.

Data analysis in 2018 from the NHS identified that the number of hospital admissions had risen by 60% in the last decade. The biggest reason for admission into hospital was for cardio-vascular disease (51%) of all admissions and 17% were for mental and behavioural disorders due to alcohol conditions which include acute intoxication, harmful use of alcohol dependence to alcohol and withdrawal of alcohol. This results in a huge impact on the Mater hospital which is a national centre specialising in Heart, Spinal and Infectious Diseases. The Mater also treats extensively liver disease and cancer, all these illnesses where hazardous drinking is at risk of being undetected which may exacerbate complex needs and further prolonging admissions.

Our ambition here in the Mater is to be the safest hospital in Ireland, delivering the highest quality care, with the most patient centred, efficient processes.

Informal enquiries Siobhan Keeney

Assistant Director of Nursing Psychiatry

siobhankeeney@mater.ie