Share your views on the causes of excess deaths in Scotland

By theorkneynews on January 6, 2022 • ( Leave a comment )

There is still time to share your views on excess deaths which have occurred in Scotland during the coronavirus Covid19 pandemic.

The total deaths, excess deaths and average deaths in the previous 5 years in the period April 2020 to October 2021. Image Scottish Government

The Scottish Parliament’s COVID-19 Recovery Committee is holding an inquiry into the cause of excess deaths in Scotland since the start of the pandemic.

The closing date if you wish to contribute is: 07 January 2022

Link to further information: Excess deaths in Scotland since the start of the pandemic

Since the start of the outbreak (correct as to 4th January 2021):

9,858 people have died who have tested positive as at 31 December
12,372 deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate up to 19 December
29% of COVID-19 registered deaths related to deaths in care homes, 64% were in hospitals and 7% were at home or non-institutional settings (as at 19 December)

From 13th of December to 19th December 2021 NRS reports:

There were 102 excess deaths at home or in non-institutional settings (32% above average), 47 more deaths in hospitals (8% above average) and 47 fewer deaths in care homes (15% below average) compared to the 2015-2019 average.

There were 48 fewer deaths from cancer, 20 more deaths from circulatory causes and 12 more deaths from dementia/Alzheimer’s last week compared to average levels.

Deaths from respiratory causes (-33) were below average. There were 101 excess deaths from other causes. The number of deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause was 52.

You can find more detailed information here from the National Records of Scotland: Deaths involving coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland

The key questions the committee wishes to focus on are:

Has the public health emergency shifted from COVID-19 deaths to deaths from non-COVID-19 conditions?
Is there evidence that patients are now presenting in a more acute condition?
What accounts for the deaths from non-COVID-19 conditions?
Is there enough of a strategic focus on the indirect health impacts of the pandemic?
What are the realistic options open to the government in addressing the indirect health impact of the virus in winter 2021/22?