Introduction

Injuries are a leading cause of hospitalisation and represent a major cause of premature mortality for children and young people. They are also a source of long term health issues, including poor mental health related to experience(s). Across England and Wales, accidents are the second highest cause of mortality, after cancer [1]. Around 80% of accidents to under 5s occur in the home and one child dies each week from an accident in the home. Children from more deprived families are 40% more likely to have a serious accident [2].

Data Overview

There were a total of 825 hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injuries in young people aged 0-24 in Oldham in 2021/22. When compared with regional and national figures, Oldham's rate for 0-4 year olds was almost double that of the England average and significantly higher than the North West rate. Rates for 0-14 year olds were similar to the North West average but higher than the England rate. Rates for 15-24 year olds were significantly lower in Oldham than the North West and England (figure 1).

Figure 1: Hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injuries in young people trend
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, accessed via OHID

Across Greater Manchester, Oldham has the highest rate of admissions for 0-4 year olds, the 2nd highest for 0-14 year olds and the lowest for 15-24 year olds (figures 2,3 and 4).

Figure 2: Hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injuries in 0-4 year olds across Greater Manchester
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, accessed via OHID

Figure 3: Hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injuries in 0-14 year olds across Greater Manchester
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, accessed via OHID

Figure 4: Hospital admissions caused by unintentional and deliberate injuries in 15-24 year olds across Greater Manchester
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, accessed via OHID

Table 1 displays emergency hospital admissions by reason type for Oldham, GM, North West and England. Oldham has higher rates compared to regional and national averages across all admission types, with the exception of 'exposure to animate mechanical forces' where Oldham has a similar rate to the North West. When compared across Greater Manchester, Oldham's rates rank highly across all categories.

Table 1: Emergency hospital admissions by reason type Oldham, GM, North West & England for most recent data period available
Admission Reason	Data Years	Oldham Number	Oldham Rate (per 100,000)	GM Rate	GM Ranking	North West Rate	England Rate
Falls	2018/19 to 2020/21	535	1080.6	638	2nd	556.7	428.6
Exposure to animate mechanical forces	2018/19 to 2020/21	25	50.5	46.9	4th	51.7	39.3
Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces	2018/19 to 2020/21	205	414	286.8	1st	255.4	208.6
Exposure to heat and hot substances	2018/19 to 2020/21	160	323.2	226.1	1st	173.8	76.1
Accidental poisoning	2018/19 to 2020/21	115	232.3	167.3	1st	169.5	114.1
Inhalation of food or vomit	2016/17 to 2020/21	15	18	16.9	4th	16.1	14.2
Falls from furniture	2016/17 to 2020/21	375	449.8	228.9	1st	178	123.1
Hot tap water scalds	2016/17 to 2020/21	20	24	16.4	1st	9.7	5.4
Burns from foods and hot fluids	2016/17 to 2020/21	140	167.9	128.6	2nd	94.5	44.4
Poisoning from medicines	2016/17 to 2020/21	115	137.9	115.6	2nd	119.4	78.7
Source: OHID based on NHS Digital, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), and Office for National Statistics, mid-year Population estimates

Road traffic collisions are a major cause of deaths in children, and comprise higher proportions of accidental deaths as children get older. Parents cite vehicle speed and volume as reasons why they do not allow their children to walk or cycle, thereby reducing opportunities for physical activity. Figure 5 shows that over time, the rate of children killed and seriously injured on England's roads has declined by a similar amount across Oldham, the North West and England. For Oldham this means a reduction of 49 children in 2008-10 to 29 in 2018-20. Latest data for 2018-20 reveals the rate in Oldham to be comparable to the North West and England rates.

When broken down by age group, Oldham's rate is higher than England rates for those aged 5 and under and 6 to 10 and lower for those aged 11 to 15. These rates for Oldham represent 8 children aged 5 and under, 8 children aged 6 to 10 and 13 children aged 11 to 15 (figure 6).

Figure 5: Children killed and seriously injured on England's roads trend
Source:  Department for Transport (DfT)

Figure 5: Children killed and seriously injured on England's roads, 2018-20, by age group
Source:  Department for Transport (DfT)

Further Information & Resources

Child Accident Prevention Trust
The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) is the UK’s leading charity working to reduce the number of children and young people killed, disabled or seriously injured in accidents.

OHID's Child and Maternal Health Profiles
Additional data and information relating to childhood accidents and injuries

References
[1] ONS Mortality Statistics https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths
[2] Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (formerly PHE)