Stats reveal ‘diet’ deaths

MALNUTRITION was listed on more than 350 death certificates in England and Wales in 2016.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that malnutrition was the underlying cause of death or contributory factor for 351 people who died in NHS hospitals in England and Wales.

The condition was the underlying cause in a total of 66 deaths – the highest number in the last decade.

Malnutrition was the underlying cause of death for 43 people in 2011, for 55 people in 2013, and 59 people in 2015.

Labour’s shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth submitted a written question asking how many patients were recorded as having died as a result of malnutrition in NHS hospitals in each of the last 10 years.

In a letter to Mr Ashworth, national statistician John Pullinger, chief executive of the UK Statistics Authority, said: “Malnutrition may be recorded as the underlying cause of death, but this is a rare occurrence.

“More commonly, malnutrition or ‘effects of hunger’ may be recorded on the death certificate as a contributory factor, but not as the underlying cause.

“Those who die with the condition are usually already very ill.

“For example, someone with malnutrition may have cancer of the digestive tract, which means they cannot absorb nutrients; they may have suffered from a stroke or have advanced dementia which can cause difficulties chewing and swallowing; or they may abuse alcohol and so not eat properly.

“In these cases, malnutrition may be recorded on the death certificate as a condition that has contributed to the death, but it will not be the underlying cause.”

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “It is shocking that more than one million older people suffer from or are at risk of malnutrition in our country. It is a huge hidden problem in our communities.”