SNP MSP highlights ready for winter campaign in bid to drive down winter deaths still further

Despite last winter’s big freeze the fewest number of people died in Scotland during the coldest months of 2010/2011 than at any other similar period in the past 20 years.

The seasonal difference  - comparing the four winter months (December to March) with the average of the four-month periods before and after the winter, and rounding the result - was 2,450 for winter 2010/11, about 300 fewer than the 2,760 for winter 2009/10.

Commenting on the figures in ‘Winter Mortality in Scotland - 2010/11’, Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow and member of the Health and Sport Committee, said that the SNP are determined for this figure to go down further again this winter.

He said: “While any excess winter deaths is a scandal in energy-rich Scotland, it is welcome that last winter the seasonal increase in the number of deaths was significantly less than in the previous winter.

“Despite the unusually cold weather - where many parts of the country were covered in snow and ice for up to two months - the winter of 2010/11 had the ninth lowest seasonal increase of all the 60 winters for which we have figures for.

“After two severe winters, the SNP Government is more prepared for severe cold weather than ever before. Plans have been improved and adapted to battle difficult weather if it hits us again.

“I urge everyone to look at the ‘Ready for Winter?’ campaign which is drawing public attention to the need to make plans for bad weather now and let everyone know the small steps they can take to better protect themselves.

Notes:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/10/21150533

http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/theme/vital-events/deaths/winter-mortality/index.html