'Social issues' cost hospitals over £65,000

Social problems like homelessness and alcoholism cost hospital chiefs in Hartlepool over £65,000 during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, new figures show.

NHS Digital data shows some 135 emergency care admissions to North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust had a diagnosis of "social problems” - including chronic alcoholism and homelessness – in 2020-21, costing the Trust £66,966 to treat.

Admission numbers rose from 70 the year before – when the issue cost £20,844 – charities say illnesses caused by social issues are a growing problem for health services.

The figures also cover a range of other categories – including nutritional disorder, safeguarding abuse, social problems in schools and poor social circumstances.

More than 50,500 patients were admitted to hospitals, minor injury units and walk-in centres with issues such as these in England last year – up from 48,300 the year before – but the £21.1m cost was up from £13.m.

Matt Downie, chief executive of homeless charity Crisis, said something as simple as lack of ID can make going to a GP impossible for people experiencing homelessness – meaning health issues often are not addressed until a critical point.

He added: "The fact that people are accessing treatment is positive, but the focus must be on getting tailored health care support early on."

In terms of cost, social problems ranked 34th out of the 37 different types of emergency care diagnosis listed at the North Tees and Hartlepool Trust and was responsible for less than one per cent of its £22.6m total costs.