The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Staggering increase in winter fatalities
North’s 19% rise,
Shock figures have revealed a “staggering” spike in the number of people dying in the north-east last winter.
The region recorded its highest winter death rate this century, with 495 of the 2,272 fatalities in Grampian between December and March being attributed to the “seasonal difference”.
It compared to 280 “additional” deaths during the colder months in the north-east in 2016/17 and 270 in 2015/16.
In Aberdeen, there were a total of 918 deaths last winter, but fewer than 680 in the four months before and after.
The Age Scotland charity last night described the statistics for Aberdeen as “particularly worrying” and urged residents to get flu vaccinations and review their energy tariffs before the temperatures plummet.
But the National Records of Scotland (NRS) statistics were published on the day that The Press and Journal revealed that fewer than half of all health workers in the nation were given a flu jab last year.
Age Scotland’s head of policy Adam Stachura said that three-quarters of winter deaths in Scotland were for people aged 75 and older.
“These figures are staggering and a real shock to the system,” he said.
“The large spike in deaths last winter in Aberdeen is particularly worrying,” he said.
“The majority of last year’s deaths were caused by flu and pneumonia, respiratory conditions, dementia and circulatory conditions like stroke.”
He added: “Three things that people in Aberdeen can do to lower their risk of illness this winter are to make sure to get their flu vaccination, review their energy tariff so they are on the cheapest rate and get a free benefits check to ensure they have every pound they are entitled to.”
The 37% rise in the number of tragedies when the colder months are compared to spring and autumn represented the highest spike in the city in at least a decade and the largest jump in Scotland last year.
It meant that 250 extra deaths were put down to the “seasonal difference” in the Granite City, compared to 60 additional fatalities in 2016-17 and 100 in 2015-16.
In Aberdeenshire, the data showed that 954 people died in the winter months, with a seasonal difference of 172, or a rise of about 22% on the preceding and subsequent months.
Moray’s score on the winter mortality index was 23%, while the rise in Highland was 19%, in Argyll and Bute it was 18%, in the Western Isles it was 31%, in Orkney it was 21% and in Shetland it was 28%.
Tom Mason, Scottish Conservative MSP for the north-east, said: “Grampian’s record on winter mortality, among people of all ages, is grim.
“It is the highest it has been for a decade, during which time the SNP have been in charge of Scotland’s health services.”
Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said: “Last winter, Scotland had its highest flu rates for seven years, a pattern seen across Europe and the United States, and it is likely that flu was a significant factor in many deaths, particularly among older people and those with longterm conditions.
“Flu vaccines are available free to all eligible adults, including everybody aged 65 and older, and I urge people to take up the offer of a free vaccine.”
“Last winter, Scotland had its highest flu rates for seven years”
The bitter icy conditions of last winter came at a terrible price, with sharp increases in deaths among older people, especially in the north-east. The region recorded its highest winter death rate so far this century. Nearly 500 out of almost 2,300 fatalities in Grampian during the three-month winter period were attributed directly to coldweather fluctuations. Aberdeen’s figures in particular have been described as “grim” after rocketing by almost 40%. Around 250 extra deaths in the Granite City were linked to seasonal differences and most of them were people aged over 75. It has long been known that old age and complicating medical conditions, such as respiratory diseases, make many people far more vulnerable to lifethreatening sickness in winter. What makes this worryingly different from previous years is that Aberdeen’s winter death rate was the highest rise in the city in at least a decade and the largest in Scotland last year. This seems to indicate that there are certain problems endemic to Aberdeen that are absent elsewhere. A reluctance to have flu vaccinations, perhaps, or to switch on the heating? With winter approaching, there is huge pressure on the NHS and Aberdeen City Council to avoid a repeat of last year. Families and neighbours must also question how old people look after themselves.
“Aberdeen’s winter death rate was the highest in a decade and the largest in Scotland last year”