Fury at rise in winter deaths

Oct 16 2009 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Friday

THE NUMBER of winter deaths in Dumfries and Galloway has hit an all time high.

From December 2008 to March 2009 a total of 140 people in the region died – 50 more than the previous year.

And campaigners for the elderly are warning that, unless action is taken now, the situation could get even worse this winter.

Carole Williams, from the region’s Seniors’ Forum, has slammed the figures and called on politicians to help protect vulnerable people in the community.

She said: “All our politicians should be ashamed of these figures. They are a shocking indictment on what seems to be an unwillingness or inability on the part of both the Scottish and Westminster governments to face up to the facts.

Struggling

“Much of the older population is struggling to pay essential bills.

“We acknowledge that other factors such as flu and health inequalities need to be taken into account. However, huge price increases for gas, electricity and solid fuels over the last year have had a disproportionate impact on older peoples’ cost of living.”

The sharp rise in the number of deaths has also concerned Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell and he is hoping that a review of the winter allowance scheme will help.

He said: “I believe we need to have more localised information used to decide cold weather payments.

“I contacted the Department for Work and Pensions earlier in the year calling for a review of weather stations used locally to ensure payments are being made on the basis of local weather conditions and not conditions miles away.

“I have received an undertaking from the Minister that this will be done in time for this winter’s scheme.”

The Seniors’ Forum has warned that they will be monitoring the situation closely.

Carole added: “Addressing any contributing factors, be it health, income, fuel prices, means-tested benefits, or means-tested central heating programmes, should be cross-party priorities. The senior electorate will be looking for solutions and will be looking for them soon.”

Margaret Syme, aged 85, has been a member of the forum for many years.

The Lochfoot pensioner, said: “Many elderly people in Dumfries and Galloway are in a dreadful situation when the winter months come along. I know for a fact that there are a lot of old people who will sit in cold houses because they cannot afford to turn their heating on. It is a terrible shame.”

The health board is hoping that further deaths will be avoided if there is a better uptake of the flu jab this year.

A spokesman said: “NHS Dumfries and Galloway acknowledges that last winter there was a rise in the winter deaths figure.

“Many of these additional winter deaths can be due to respiratory and circulatory diseases and the cold winter weather can make those with chronic conditions even more vulnerable.

“We would urge everyone who is entitled to the flu vaccination to make sure they get the flu jab.”