Admissions figures show rapid increase in use of hospital care
NHS Digital reveals rise in admittance to hospital due to acid attacks in England over the past six years, among other interesing statistics
The data shows that since 2011-12 there have been 624 admissions because of an 'assault by corrosive substance'.
The admissions figures also show more unusual incidents including 31 admissions from rat bites, three from crocodile bites and 13 from lightning strikes.
The NHS Digital statistics uncover the rapidly increasing use of hospital care, with the numbers of patients receiving stints of care one third higher than ten years ago.
Attack guidance
In 2016-17, there were 109 hospital admissions due to acid attacks, which can leave patients blind or severely disfigured after being doused in corrosive substances.
In August, health officials issued guidance on how witnesses can help victims of acid attacks, saying that the minutes after an assault are critical in helping those affected.
More than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in the six months up to April this year, according to figures from 39 police forces in England and Wales.
The NHS Digital data for hospital inpatient, day case and adult critical care episodes in England shows the number of patients receiving an episode of care from a consultant in England increased to 19.7 million last year.
The number of finished consultant episodes increased by 2.5% on the previous year, and 33.4% on 2006-07.
Care for the 65-84 age group has seen the greatest volume increase across the last ten year period, rising by over 2 million episodes to 6.3 million finished consultant episodes in 2016-17.
Almost 82,000 patients had more than ten admissions during the year.
Commenting on the figures, RCN head of nursing practice Wendy Presson said: ‘We know that demand is rising. It is important that we have the right staff in the right place with the right skills to be able to support patients and to meet their needs. That might not be a medic, that could be an advanced practitioner.’
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