Elderly people account for a bigger proportion of NHS hospital activity every year, with the number treated growing at a much faster rate over the last decade compared to any other age group, NHS Information Centre figures show today.

Hospital stays in England involving patients aged 75 and over rose by two thirds in a decade compared to the overall growth rate of 38 per cent, according to Hospital Episode Statistics: Admitted Patient Care – England 2009/10.

The number involving 60 to 74-year-olds also rose rapidly; by nearly 50 per cent, while the number for 0 to 14-year-olds rose by 15 per cent.

In 2009/10 there were:

• 16,806,200 hospital stays, a 38 per cent rise on 1999/2000 (12,167,570)
• 1,939,190 stays for patients aged 0 to 14; a 15 per cent rise on 1999/2000 (1,682,020)
• 7,333,110 stays for patients aged 15 to 59; a 29 per cent rise on 1999/2000 (5,687,810)
• 3,642,940 stays for patients aged 60 to 74; a 48 per cent rise on 1999/2000 (2,463,170)
• 3,837,990 stays for patients aged 75 and over, a 66 per cent rise on 1999/2000 (2,308,480).

Between 1999/00 and 2009/10 the average age of a patient increased from 46 to 51. During the same time period the average length of hospital stay fell by 28 per cent; from 7.8 days to 5.6 days. The absolute decrease (expressed in days rather than as a percentage) was largest for those aged 75 and over; from 15.4 days to 11.0 days.

Admissions for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (including conditions such as arthritis, joint disorders and back problems) have grown at a faster rate than any other group of diagnoses; by 82 per cent (from 618,660 admissions in 1999/2000 to 1,126,010 in 2009/10) compared to the overall growth in admissions of 30 per cent.

Today's report covers all NHS inpatient activity in England and also shows:

• The number of admissions due to assault fell by less than one per cent (140) between 2008/09 (42,520) and 2009/10 (42,380). The latest figure is a 23 per cent increase on 1999/2000 (34,570)
• The number of admissions due to obesity rose by 33 per cent (2,630) between 2008/09 (8,090) and 2009/10 (10,720). The latest figure is a 972 per cent increase on 1999/2000 (1,000)
• The number of admissions wholly due to alcohol rose by eight per cent (4,930) between 2008/09 (64,430) and 2009/10 (69,360). The latest figure is a 54 per cent increase on 1999/2000 (45,100).

NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: “This report gives an insight into the changing demands placed on England's hospitals, which are getting busier every year.

“It is clear that the effects of England's aging population are being felt in secondary care – with a greater number of older people passing through NHS hospital doors each year and the average age of a patient also increasing.

“The figures also show that while more and more older people are being admitted to hospital, the average time they spend as an inpatient is falling.”

A full version of the report can be viewed at pubs/hes0910

The report provides links to the HES data tables, which will begin to be uploaded at 09:30am on October 28

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The NHS Information Centre is England's authoritative, independent source of health and social care information. It works with more than 300 health and social care providers nationwide to provide the facts and figures that help the NHS and social services run effectively. Its role is to collect data, analyse it and convert it into useful information which helps providers improve their services and supports academics, researchers, regulators and policymakers in their work. The NHS Information Centre also produces a wide range of statistical publications each year across a number of areas including: primary care, health and lifestyles, screening, hospital care, population and geography, social care and workforce and pay statistics.
2. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. The quality and coverage of the data have improved over time. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Some of the increase in figures for later years (particularly 2006-07 onwards) may be due to the improvement in the coverage of independent sector activity. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example, a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted for in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.
3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10
4. Hospital stays (Finished consultant episodes) relate to the period of care in a hospital under a single consultant, if a patient were to need treating by a further consultant this would constitute a second stay.
5. Admissions do not represent the number of people, as one person may be admitted more than once during the year.
6. Admissions for assault relate to ICD-10 external cause codes of X85-Y09
7. Admission for obesity refers to the ICD-10 primary diagnosis code E66; Obesity.
8. Admissions wholly due to alcohol relate to ICD-10: primary diagnosis codes of F10, K70, T51, E24.4, G31.2, G62.1, G72.1, I42.6, K29.2, K86.0; or external cause code of X45.
9. For media enquiries please call 0845 257 6990 or contact Kristina Fox on 0113 2547120 (Kristina.fox@ic.nhs.uk)