THERE were more hospital admissions for liver disease in Westmorland and Furness last year, new figures show.

The charity Alcohol Change said tens of thousands of people are affected by alcohol-related harm every year. It added preventative measures and support for those struggling with alcohol is urgently needed.

It comes as figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities show hospital admissions for liver disease across England remain at a record high, with about 85,665 recorded in the year to March 2023 – up 51% from 10 years prior.

In Westmorland and Furness, there were some 305 hospital admissions for liver disease in 2022-23, up from 275 the year before.

It was also an increase from 185 hospital admissions in 2012-13.

All figures are rounded to the nearest five.

Of the hospital admissions across England last year, 27,085 had a primary diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease. This included 95 in Westmorland and Furness.

In Westmorland and Furness, 156 deaths were linked to liver disease across 2020-22. It meant the area had a mortality rate of 22.6 per 100,000.