Only two of oldest patients put in ICU
Scotland’s oldest citizens were “sacrificed” to keep space free for younger Covid-19 patients, critics have claimed after intensive care admissions figures were revealed.
Data obtained by the Sunday Mail shows that, up to the start of September, only two patients aged over 85 out of 1152 cases were admitted to ICU – just 0.17 per cent.
In total, 1834 people in the age group died over this period – 63 per cent of those infected.
The 75-84 age group fared little better, with just 43 out of 1542 taken into intensive care – 2.7 per cent.
But 10 per cent of those under 44, 17 per cent of those aged 45-64 and 13 per cent of patients aged 65-74 who ended up in hospital were placed in ICU.
Scottish Lib Dem health spokesman Alex ColeHamilton said: “Old people have been sacrificed to make way for younger people in ICU.”
Donald Macaskill, chief executive of Scottish Care, added: “These figures strike me as surprising given what we know about those who are most likely to die from the virus – our older citizens.”
The Scottish Government said: “There was categorically no policy to refuse care to any group of people.
“To claim otherwise is deeply offensive to the hard-working doctors, nurses, therapists and paramedics who cared for hospitalised Covid-19 patients during the first wave of the pandemic and who continue to do so.”
A further 39 deaths from coronavirus and 1596 new cases were confirmed yesterday.