Patients: Older People
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential causes of the increase in the number of over-65s being hospitalised in November and December (a) 2023 and (b) 2024.
Answered by Karin Smyth
NHS England publishes information on admissions by age group, including for those aged 65 years old and over. The proportion of admissions has remained relatively stable between the years at approximately 4%. There is a long-term growth trend overall in the number of hospital admissions. The following table shows the number of admitted hospital attendances for people aged 65 years old and over, and the proportion of total admitted attendances for people aged 65 years old and over, in England, in November and December 2023 and in November and December 2024:
Month | Admitted hospital attendances for people aged 65 years old and over, England | Proportion of total admitted attendances for people aged 65 years old and over, England |
November 2023 | 141,500 | 45% |
December 2023 | 154,665 | 47% |
November 2024 | 160,630 | 43% |
December 2024 | 154,995 | 45% |
Source: NHS England, available at the following link:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/ae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2024-25/
Notes:
- this data is provided as a percentage of total admissions, therefore, the figures have been calculated from these percentages and rounded to the nearest whole number; and
- the data publication is released monthly, with December 2024 being the most recent publication, and therefore the December figures are provisional and are subject to revisions.
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