Probe into town’s high winter death rate

INVESTIGATIONS HAVE been launched to find the causes of Barnsley’s ‘excess’ winter death problem, with fatality statistics soaring ahead of both the national average and neighbouring communities.

Death rates rise nationally in winter due to cold weather and seasonal illness such as flu, but in Barnsley the problem has been escalating and winter death rates were more than 30 per cent up on average in 2017.

Nationally, the ‘excess’ rate for the same period was just over 20 per cent.

Barnsley ranks higher than both the Yorkshire and Humber average and also neighbouring towns and cities including Doncaster and Wakefield.

The reasons why rates are so much higher in the South Yorkshire town have not be established and to compound the problem, there are large swings between Barnsley neighbourhoods, with the Darton East and Rockingham council wards being among those with the worst records, despite being regarded as relatively prosperous.

In Darton East, the ‘excess’ death rate is 47 per cent above average, compared to the borough average of 31 per cent and a national figure in the very low 20s.

Councillors have been told by Julie Tolhurst, one of Barnsley’s senior public health officials, that the issue is a “very complex area”.

Council experts are now examining data to try to pinpoint the causes, while colleagues work to address known problems.

Barnsley Council’s North Area Council, which works to boost the health of communities including Darton, has put money aside for a warm homes project to help improve insulation which has been calculated to bring benefits worth £11 for every £1 spent.

Another scheme is aimed at helping to ensure patients who are discharged from hospital do not return to a cold home, and work also is under way to tackle social isolation.