COVID’S HIDDEN TOLL OF DEATH
EXCLUSIVE: Hundreds of Scots have died needlessly – because they didn’t get vital treatment during virus crisis
HUNDREDS of Scots have become the ‘hidden victims’ of the Covid-19 crisis that has engulfed the NHS.
More than 1,200 people have died from illnesses such as cancer, dementia, stroke and heart disease – many because their treatment was delayed or they did not want to trouble overstretched doctors during the pandemic.
Experts believe that the huge spike in non-Covid deaths over an eight-week period was directly linked to consequences of the virus’s effect on the health service.
Last night, the MSP who uncovered the figures said: ‘It is becoming increasingly apparent that the people of Scotland have been badly
let down by a lack of adequate planning in our NHS and social care services, along with a rush to discharge hospital patients early.’
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Dave Stewart said: ‘Every life lost in this pandemic is one too many and that includes so-called excess deaths.’
The rise coincides with the Scottish Government’s decision to postpone medical procedures to free up hospital beds for Covid-19 patients. The shock figures reveal that there were 1,210 more deaths between March 16 and May 13 than for the same period over the past five years.
April was Scotland’s deadliest month since record-keeping began in 1990. A total of 7,958 Scots died during the month, according to the National Records of Scotland.
It is understood that many people have been fearful of seeking medical help, or did not want to be an additional burden to the NHS, while the Scottish Government also paused some procedures in order to free up space on hospital wards.
The scale of the hidden death toll from other diseases was revealed in a parliamentary response to Mr Stewart. It said that, mid-March to mid-May, there were 153 more cancer deaths than average, 430 excess deaths due to dementia and Alzheimer’s, 210 additional circulatory system disease fatalities and 416 from other health issues.
Mr Stewart said: ‘The Scottish Government must recognise that the health impact of this pandemic goes way beyond Covid-19.
‘The Health Secretary should clearly set out what changes are being made to ensure that patients’ lives are not put at further risk in the coming weeks and months.’
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservatives health spokesman, said: ‘These figures clearly show the collateral damage of the Covid crisis and the very real need to get the NHS up and running again.
‘At the beginning of the crisis, the Scottish Government cancelled a number of programmes that saved lives. Arguably the cancellation of these essential programmes has caused unnecessary deaths also.’
Charities have also warned that work is needed to get key services back on track.
Marion O’Neill, Cancer Research UK’s head of external affairs in Scotland, said: ‘Issues have been identified across every aspect, from screening and diagnosing the disease to how treatment is delivered. As data becomes available over time, we will be able to measure the full impact on cancer care. We are expecting to see a drop in cancer diagnoses during the pandemic, with an increase at a later time point with a worrying shift towards more later-stage diagnoses.
‘Early diagnosis followed by swift access to the most effective treatment remains as important as ever for cancer survival.’
Meanwhile, campaigners for the elderly want an investigation into why non-Covid deaths reached such levels.
Brian Sloan, Age
Scotland’s chief executive, said: ‘Although many of those affected will be older and more vulnerable with complex health conditions, it is concerning to see such a steep rise.
‘The reasons behind these excess deaths must be investigated further.’ Dr Lewis Morrison, chairman of BMA Scotland, said: ‘The NHS has maintained access for patients with serious or urgent non-Covid medical problems, although some tests and treatments have had to be delayed to assure the safety of patients and staff.
‘Striking that balance was always going to be difficult.’
The Scottish Government has been so alarmed by the fall in cancer referrals and child immunisations that it has launched an ‘NHS is open’ campaign.
A spokesman said: ‘Covid-19 hubs and assessment centres freed GP practices to continue to cater for those needing routine medical care. The Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland and the National Records of Scotland are engaged in research to understand the wider impact of Covid-19.’
‘Health impact goes way beyond the virus’