The overburdening of the UK health service has contributed to an increase in deaths in Britain over the past year, according to experts. A review of official data published by the BBC on Tuesday shows 650,000 deaths recorded last year, fewer than in the pandemic years but nine per cent more than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
According to the evaluation, Covid-19 still contributes to excess mortality, but the effect is significantly lower than in the peak phase of the pandemic: while some 38,000 deaths were attributed to the virus last year, there were 95,000 in 2020 .
Experts warn of “300 to 500 deaths a week”
Doctors see the enormous overload of the British healthcare system as a major cause of excess mortality. According to the BBC, the Royal College of Emergency Medicine is warning that the emergency room crisis could lead to “300 to 500 deaths a week”.
48 minutes waiting time for treatment of a heart attack
With regard to the past year, the BBC found a link between the increased number of deaths and the period during which waiting times in English hospitals deteriorated. In June, they reached sizes otherwise observed in winter. According to health department evaluations, patients with a heart attack or stroke had to wait an average of 48 minutes for emergency treatment in November – the target is a maximum of 18 minutes.
Source: Krone
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