A REVIEW OF HOSPITAL DISCHARGE RATES IN A POPULATION AROUND CAMELFORDIN NORTH CORNWALL UP TO THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF AN EPISODE OF ALUMINUMSULFATE ABSORPTION

Background The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pollu tion caused by the aluminium sulphate emptied into the water at the Lo wermoor Treatment Works on the standardized hospital discharge ratios in the Camelford area, Cornwall. Method Comparisons were made between the Camelford area and other localities in Cornwall of standardized ho spital discharge ratios up to five years following the pollution incid ent. The diagnoses of discharges were defined by ICD 9 code and groupe d in chapters. The figures for Camelford were compared with those for Cornwall. Results Since the pollution incident, the standardized disch arge ratio has increased in the Camelford area compared with Cornwall. No similar increase was observed in other localities of Cornwall. No one diagnosis was found to cause this increase. Conclusions The pollut ion of the water to the people of Camelford has raised hospital discha rges. Monitoring of hospital discharges will continue.