Government examines surge in ‘potentially preventable’ deaths

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) officials are concerned that many more people are dying than expected in recent months – particularly older working-age people – with NHS care delays and interruptions a likely cause.

HSJ understands there is concern and analysis under way across the chief medical officer’s team and in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.

The DHSC told HSJ initial work showed the biggest causes of the “excess deaths” were cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes) and diabetes.

This supports the case they are being caused by a combination of the current very long delays for ambulances and other emergency care, and by people with heart disease and diabetes missing out on routine checks due to Covid and its knock-on effects, HSJ was told.

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Source: HSJ, 17 August 2022