Excess winter mortality higher in Wales than any English region
Data released by the ONS today also showed the number of excess winter deaths almost doubled in Wales compared to the previous year from 1,850 to 3,400.
On the Index of regions, Wales scored 32.8% compared to the England and Wales average of 30.3%. This puts the Welsh rate higher than all nine areas of England.
In Wales, the highest increase was in Powys and the largest reduction in Anglesey.
Welsh Conservative and Shadow Health Secretary Angela Burns AM said:
“This is more proof that the Welsh Labour Government is completely failing in its duty to protect its citizens during the harshest time of the year.
“Ministers can make all the statements they want on winter pressures, but the reality is there is an excessive rate of people dying in Wales, not only compared to the English average, but to every single region of England.
“Some may argue the number is an improvement on 1950. Well, of course, it is. Considering the enormous advances in science, medicine, and lifestyle in the last seven decades, I’d be worried if there wasn’t a vast improvement on then.
“But we live in the here and now, and at this moment, the people of Wales head into this winter with an uncomfortable cloud hanging over them.”
