Hospital admissions caused by everyday accidents are rising sharply, according to new research by MetLife UK, with falls, trips and sporting injuries among the most common reasons people end up in hospital.

The insurer’s second Everyday Risk Report found that accident and emergency attendances increased by 3.8% year-on-year, while hospital admissions rose by 7% – well above the UK’s 1.2% population growth rate.

Falls, trips and bumps remain the leading external cause of hospital admissions, with an additional 13,934 cases last year, a 3.1% rise.

But the steepest increase came from allergies, bites and stings, which saw admissions climb by 20% to 22,303 cases.

HOSPITAL VISIT

MetLife’s analysis showed that two in five (42%) UK adults have suffered an injury serious enough to require a hospital stay of at least 24 hours.

Broken bones (45%) were the most common, followed by ligament or muscle tears (20%), concussions (16%) and loss of joint function (8%).

Despite this, only 10% of people hold an accident and sickness insurance policy that would provide financial support if they were unable to work.

Phil Jeynes, Head of Individual Protection at MetLife UK, said: “Just a year on from our first Everyday Risk Report, we’ve seen the number of injuries and hospital admissions increase as a result of everyday accidents.

“Even falls or trips, the most common every day cause behind hospital admissions, are overlooked as a major risk in people’s lives.”

PROTECTION GAP

And he added: “What is striking is how many people are still not appropriately protected against these risks. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, a story of uncertainty, and it presents a clear need for individuals to have the right type of protection in place to safeguard them.

“That’s why we strive to offer simple protection products that are an everyday essential. Providing a reliable financial safety-net that can support them and their loved ones when life takes an unexpected turn, helps ease the financial strain and lets people recover and deal with the things that matter most.”