Scots care home deaths outstrip English rates
Labour leader Richard Leonard demanded “decisive action” to tackle Covid-19 in care homes in Scotland after it emerged death rates in Scotland are significantly higher than in England.
But overall deaths from the virus across the population are lower in Scotland than south of the Border, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Although the figures for Scotland covering up until the week 27 April to 3 May have previously been published, yesterday’s publication sets them in contrast with the situation in England.
More than half of Scotland’s care homes have notified the Care Inspectorate of suspected cases.
The cumulative number of care home residents who have died from Covid-19 in Scotland stands at 1,195 – 42.8 per cent of all coronavirus deaths.
This compares with 24.9 per cent in England where 7,903 people have died.
But there have been 2,795 deaths overall in Scotland compared with 31,777 in England. Scotland’s death toll is 8.8 per cent of the English figure, lower than the 9.4 per cent overall population comparison with England.
Mr Leonard said: “The stark disparity in the proportion of coronavirus deaths in care homes between Scotland and England poses very serious questions over the Scottish Government’s approach to this pandemic.
“Let me be clear. Scottish Labour supports the efforts of both the Scottish and UK governments in battling this virus and every intervention from us and every question raised by Scottish Labour is in the interests of protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
“It is absolutely vital, now more than ever, that the actions of our governments are scrutinised and held to account in the public interest.
“We are all committed to defeating the virus, and it is in the spirit of collective national effort that we call on the First Minister to take urgent action to protect those in our residential care homes.
“They are the most vulnerable and we must protect them and the staff who care for them.”
The latest figures for care home deaths and other community fatalities from the virus will be published later today.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday announced an additional £50 million to help battle the killer bug in residential homes.
The First Minister said that although the proportion of Scots dying in care homes is on the rise, the actual number of deaths has declined. This is down to the significant decrease in hospital deaths, which mean care homes account for a greater share of fatalities.
“The figures we are reporting in Scotland do not appear to be out of step with international comparisons,” the First Minister said. “There are many countries that are reporting that percentage of deaths happening in care homes is similar to the percentage that we are reporting here in Scotland.
“So all I can say is that I’m satisfied that the figures we are reporting in Scotland are robust.”
Chief Medical Officer Gregor Smith said that the age range and previous health conditions of Scots in care homes made comparisons with other parts of the country “very difficult”.