Still one of the worst areas for drinking levels

Annual figures released today, Tuesday, put Warrington as ‘significantly worse’ for nine of the 23 indicators: * Mortality from chronic liver disease in females. There were 11.7 deaths per 100,000 people against a regional average of 11.1.

* Alcohol-specific hospital admission in under 18s. There were 136.4 admissions per 100,000 against a regional average of 122.2.

* Alcohol-specific hospital admission in adult males. There were 654 admissions per 100,000 against a regional average of 596.1.

* Alcohol-specific hospital admission in adult females. There were 385.3 admissions per 100,000 against a regional average of 312.1.

* Alcohol-attributable hospital admission in adult males. There were 1,755.8 admissions per 100,000 against a regional average of 1,591.4.

* Alcohol-attributable hospital admission in adult females. There were 1,062.3 admissions per 100,000 against a regional average of 923.3.

* Hospital admissions for alcohol-related harm. There were 2,084.3 admissions per 100,000 against a regional average of 1,943.8.

* Hazardous drinking. An estimated 24.8 per cent of the population drink hazardously. The regional average is 22.1 per cent.

* Binge drinking. 22.6 per cent drink more than the recommended allowance in a single session. Although Warrington was better than the regional average of 23 per cent it was still in the bottom 25 per cent nationally.

Of the 327 health authorities in England the figures put Warrington in the bottom 20 for six of the 23 indicators, with the worst being alcohol-specific hospital admission for woman where Warrington was placed 317th.

Two years ago Warrington was in the top 10 worst towns in the country for its problems with alcohol.

However, the town was ‘significantly better’ than the England average for alcohol related recorded crime, alcohol related violent crime and the percentage of the population employed in bars.

You can see the North West Public Health Observatory’s report at nwph.net.