Inquiry into 'alarming rise' of excess deaths since start of pandemic

MSPs have launched an inquiry into the number of excess deaths in Scotland since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Covid-19 Recovery Committee will look to establish the “root cause” of a spike in deaths since the beginning of 2020 and find out if the public health emergency has shifted from coronavirus deaths to deaths from indirect causes.

The public have been invited to share their views on the indirect health impacts of the pandemic with the committee.

And convener Siobhan Brown says the inquiry will look to “learn more about the indirect health impacts of the pandemic”.

Speaking at its launch the MSP for Ayr called the rise in excess deaths “alarming”.

She said: “The latest data released by the Scottish Government shows an alarming rise in the number of excess deaths since the start of the pandemic.

“Recent media reports suggest the pandemic has led to delays and decreases in the number of patients being diagnosed with illnesses, such as cancers, which can negatively impact the efficacy of treatment.

“We are keen to learn more about the indirect health impacts of the pandemic and whether the public health emergency has shifted from Covid-19 deaths to deaths from non-Covid-19 conditions.

“Every death is a tragedy, whether caused by Covid-19 or not, and it is essential that we establish the root causes of these deaths and find out what has led to this spike in the number of lives being lost.”

You can let the committee know your views here.