THERE are fears ill people in Scotland are dying because they don’t want to bother the NHS at a time of crisis.
New figures released by the National Records of Scotland revealed a huge spike in the number of deaths in March compared to previous years.
The total number of deaths registered in Scotland from 30 March to 5 April was 1,741. The average number of deaths registered in the same week over the last five years was 1,098.
Coronavirus was implicated in 282 of those extra 643 deaths.
Yesterday, the interim chief medical officer Gregor Smith said the system “feels eerily quiet in relation to people presenting with illness which isn't COVID-19”.
He added: “Just knowing that, as a clinician, is immediately disconcerting, because that illness hasn't gone away. Somewhere it exists.”
In a direct message to those who may be suffering in silence, Smith said: “We don't need you sitting at home, worrying about the odd pains that you've suddenly started experiencing across your chest that you've never had before, or the sense of weakness and your maybe be not sure why it's happened or even the bleeding that wasn't there last week but has suddenly started.
“These are things that we want you still to come and see us about, because we can help you and make sure that if it needs further investigation or further assessment or even further treatment, we can get that treatment to you as quickly as possible.”
Standing alongside Smith at the Scottish Government's daily coronavirus briefing, Nicola Sturgeon said there may, at the moment, be a “tendency for people to be less likely to come forward to the NHS".
She said: "They will think they're helping the NHS and, you know, obviously, that sentiment is one we appreciate, but we don't want people to not come forward if they're worried about their health.”
“If you are unwell or feeling under the weather for other reasons. Come to the NHS, as you normally would. Some of those ways of accessing the NHS are slightly different just know it but it's still there for you,” she added.
The First Minister said it was too early to say for sure if the rise in deaths were indirectly related to coronavirus or patients staying away, but admitted the government were concerned.
Earlier this week it was revealed that attendances at A&E departments across Scotland were down 60%.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel