18-40s are our new shock liver patients

HOSPITAL admissions for liver disease among young people are rocketing, according to a Liberal Democrat MP.

Cases of alcoholic liver disease among 18 to 40-year old, more than doubled between 1997 and 2007.

There were 2,967 hospital admissions in the year 1997-98, but this spiralled to 6,495 between 2006 and 2007.

Among all age groups, there were 43,548 hospital admissions in 2006-07 for the same condition, while another 27,040 cases related to the toxic effects of alcohol.

Admissions for drink-related mental health problems were a staggering 158,656 — including 6,612 cases concerning children aged 17 and under.

This represented a 50 per cent rise on the 4,401 cases seen by doctors 10 years ago.

Liberal Democrat Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, said: “These figures expose an iceberg-effect where enormous problems are being stored up for the NHS in the future.

“Alcoholic liver damage takes 10 to 20 years to develop, so in the past it did not become apparent until people were in their 50s or 60s.

“But these new figures show a growing trend with people who are in their 30s being diagnosed with liver disease caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

“Behind these figures are huge human and financial costs.”

A Government spokeswoman said taking action against very cheap alcohol had not been ruled out.

She said: “We are determined to reduce the health and social harm caused by alcohol.

“The Government’s £10-million Know Your Limits campaign arms people with the facts about alcohol and its effects.

“The Government recently announced its intention to crack down on irresponsible promotions and impose new standards on the alcohol industry.”