‘Forgotten’ illnesses fuel worst death toll for 50yrs

A RECORD number of Scots are dying as the crisis engulfing the NHS continues to spiral out of control.

Latest figures show that 1,257 people lost their lives in the space of a week – the highest number at this time of year since records began in 1974.

As Covid cases start to plateau, and deaths from the virus remain low, the NHS is struggling with all the other health problems that the country now faces.

Deaths from cancer, heart disease, dementia and other illnesses have all increased markedly over the summer.

In week 37 of 2021 – covering September 13 to 19 – the 1,257 deaths were almost 16 per cent more than the same week last year, and almost 22 per cent more than the average from 2015 to 2019.

The number of deaths in week 35 was also one of the highest on record for that time period, at 1,180.

Other weeks recently have been close to record highs.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane, health spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, said: ‘As we head towards winter, it is clear that SNP Ministers need to give health boards urgent resources if we are to avoid a total disaster.’

Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s health spokesman, added: ‘These heartbreaking figures confirm that our NHS is facing a crisis of historic proportions.

‘Most worryingly of all, it looks like things are going to get worse before they get better.’

A spokesman for doctors’ professional body BMA Scotland said: ‘The pandemic has clearly had a huge impact on healthcare in Scotland which wasn’t able to meet all demands on it pre-Covid.

‘It is clearly struggling at present under unprecedented pressures.’