ACT NOW TO SAVE HIDDEN VICTIMS OF VIRUS
Thousands die at home instead of seeking help
LEADING health charities, doctors and grieving parents have demanded action after figures revealed a shocking rise in people dying at home in the pandemic.
Official statistics yesterday showed there were almost 25,000 excess deaths in private homes in England between March and September, with the vast majority not linked to Covid- 19.
The previously hidden toll showed hospital deaths were below average for
many key conditions including dementia and heart disease, fuelling fears that thousands stayed home instead of seeking medical help.
Experts said it was unclear how many lives could have been saved but warned some patients may have died needlessly due to delayed treatment or without appropriate end- oflife care.
They called for urgent action to prevent the pattern repeating during the second wave.
Grieving father Craig Russell also called on the Prime Minister to get cancer treatment back on track and ensure it continues during the current lockdown restrictions.
His daughter Kelly Smith, 31, died in June, just weeks after her treatment for stage four bowel cancer was halted due to the pandemic.
He told the Daily Express: “Give the NHS the tools they need to help. Sadly, it is too late for Kelly, but there’s still time to save others.”
Craig, 51, warned that suspending services during lockdown had “traded lives” and could lead to thousands of deaths from cancer and other killer conditions. He said: “Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock need to do the right thing – not trade lives but save lives.
“And that isn’t just people who are in the firing line of Covid, but people who are also doing their absolute best to fight cancer.”
Kelly spent her last weeks being cared for by her family before she died just 14 hours after moving to a hospice.
The young mother, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, had been undergoing treatment for cancer when the pandemic stuck.
Father Craig and mother Mandy have launched a campaign, Catch Up With Cancer, to try and prevent other families suffering as they have.
Two weeks ago they shared a video call with Mr Hancock, who assured them the NHS was doing everything possible to keep services running.
But the campaigners, who have received the backing of more than 100 MPs, believe extra resources and emergency plans are needed.
Their petition has been signed by more than 310,000 people. It comes as the Office for National Statistics revealed there were 24,387 more people than usual who died at home in England between March 14 and September 11.
The number of people dying at home from dementia and Alzheimer’s rocketed by 79 per cent in England, with 2,095 excess fatalities recorded.
Samantha Benham- Hermetz, from Alzheimer’s Research UK, called for research to discover why more people were dying at home.
She said: “It’s likely that factors such as social isolation and people’s fear of coming forward to access medial care they need has led to such a huge increase, which is why it’s more important than ever that people with dementia are not neglected.”
Deaths in private homes from Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy and diabetes also all increased by
more than 75 per cent. The leading cause of death in the home for both men and women was heart disease.
Dr Sonya Babu- Narayan, who is associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “The increased rate of deaths occurring at home suggests that reduced access to cardiovascular care has contributed to these unexpected deaths.”
Deaths at home remained a third higher than usual last month, suggesting some people may still be shying away from hospitals. A Department of Health spokesman said: “Our deepest sympathies go to the families of those who have died.
“Throughout the pandemic the NHS has remained open for urgent care and it is vital that people come forward.
“The NHS treated two non- Covid patients for every one Covid patient during the first wave of the pandemic and more than 870,000 people were referred for cancer checks between March and August.
“In addition to this, £ 3billion in funding has been allocated to the NHS to prepare for winter.”
● To sign Craig and Mandy’s petition, visit change.org/p/the-secretary-of-state-for-health-matt-hancock-stop-unnecessary-cancer-deaths-caused- by- the- covid- disruptions- and- save- thousands- oflives