This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Winter deaths halve, ONS figures show
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that the number of excess winter deaths in 2015-16 have halved to 24,000.
Death rates tend to increase during the Winter months as a result of colder weather, which aggravates respiratory illnesses.
The winter of 2014-16 saw almost 44,000 extra deaths, the highest since 1999. Health experts blamed the spike in excess deaths on the flu vaccine being less effective than previously.
However, statistics showed that during the most recent winter, flu attacked younger groups.
Dr Anne Campbell, of the ONS, said: "One of the key factors behind the lower excess mortality this winter was a fall in the number of deaths among the elderly.
"This was mainly due to the most prevalent strain of the flu virus impacting younger people rather than older people, who are more at risk."
Latest News
16/02/2024 - 12:56
Hammersmith and Fulham Council has created a new alliance intended to clean dirty air and improve residents' health.
16/02/2024 - 10:44
Two million more GP appointments a month are being delivered for patients compared to the same month before the pandemic as part of the NHS primary care access recovery plan according to new NHS data.
15/02/2024 - 10:26
The Welsh Government has provided innovation funding of £380,000 to support two projects utilising technology in domiciliary care.
15/02/2024 - 10:13
The new Scottish health secretary has met with frontline staff at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
14/02/2024 - 10:27
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) has appointed three new Executive Directors to the Trust Board.
Product Features
UK Building Regulations highlight toxic gas and smoke from layers of paint built up over multiple redecorations as a major cause of permanent ill health or death in a building fire.
Their concern rose with discovery the flame retardant paints most widely used paint along escape routes have been ones which to this day counter-productively use emission of heavy toxic gas to smother flames which rapidly spread along walls if layers of paint delaminate in a fire.
Supplier Profiles
Northwich’s Victoria Infirmary (VIN) Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) has enabled more patients
Adveco, the commercial hot water specialist, announces the launch of live metering of domestic ho
Latest Features
Sarah Greenslade, public affairs and communications officer at the British Parking Association looks at some of the problems and innovations in healthcare parking
It’s easy to assume that the comms team is there to handle press enquiries and the occasional social media storm – but the reality is that strategic communications can make a measurable impact across the entire organisation, from operational to financial, when done properly
