PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(5 February 2025)

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.

Asked by:
Blake Stephenson (Conservative)

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:

1. 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
2. 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.

Answered by:
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