Letters to the Editor

Whenever we see alcohol statistics misrepresented in the media we send letters of correction for publication.  You can read the latest ones here:
 
DAILY TELEGRAPH: LETTER TO THE EDITOR
 
Dear Sir,
 
Your report, ‘Drink-related admissions to hospital rise 25pc in a year’ (25 August 2011) says that admissions to hospital because of alcohol misuse have apparently risen by 25% in the past five years. 
 
You ignore, however, that overall hospital admissions have risen significantly over the same period, partly because there are more of us and we are living longer.  To put the issue in its proper context, the proportion of overall hospital admissions which are primarily related to alcohol has increased over the past five years from 1.32% to 1.34%, a rise of just 0.02%.
 
I can assure you that the industry recognises the problems of alcohol misuse and the very significant burden this places on the NHS.  We are working hard to achieve a more responsible drinking culture and are making much progress.  But as well as responsible use of alcohol, we should like to see a more responsible use of statistics.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
David Poley
Chief Executive, Portman Group
 

25 AUGUST 2011
DAILY MAIL: LETTER TO THE EDITOR
 
Dear Sir,
 
Your report, ‘A million drinkers end up in hospital every year’ (25 August 2011) claims that admissions to hospital because of alcohol misuse have apparently risen by 25% in the past five years.
 
You ignore, however, that overall hospital admissions have risen significantly over the same period, partly because there are more of us and we are living longer.  To put the issue in its proper context, the proportion of overall hospital admissions which are primarily related to alcohol has increased over the past five years from 1.32% to 1.34%, a rise of just 0.02%.
 
I can assure you that the industry recognises the problems of alcohol misuse and the very significant burden this places on the NHS.  We are working hard to achieve a more responsible drinking culture and are making much progress.  But as well as responsible use of alcohol, we should like to see a more responsible use of statistics.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
David Poley
Chief Executive, Portman Group

DAILY EXPRESS: LETTER TO THE EDITOR
 
25 AUGUST 2011
 
Dear Sir,
 
Your article, ‘Hospitals in soaring booze toll’ (25 August 2011) refers to the “shocking” increase in alcohol-related hospital admissions over the past five years.
 
You ignore, however, that overall hospital admissions have risen significantly over the same period, partly because there are more of us and we are living longer.  To put the issue in its proper context, the proportion of overall hospital admissions which are primarily related to alcohol has increased over the past five years from 1.32% to 1.34%, a rise of just 0.02%.
 
I can assure you that the industry recognises the problems of alcohol misuse and the very significant burden this places on the NHS.  We are working hard to achieve a more responsible drinking culture and are making much progress.  But as well as responsible use of alcohol, we should like to see a more responsible use of statistics.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
David Poley
Chief Executive, Portman Group
 

Letter to the Editor, Daily Mail 1 April 2011 correcting the inaccurate claim that there was a surge in binge drinking amongst females.  The story was based on an inaccurate report from the Office of National Statistics which they later corrected on their website.

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