By Declan Carey

A spike in 'excess deaths' in Stockport could be down to the government's handling of NHS strikes, a councillor has suggested.

A recent report from the borough's director of public health reveals deaths in the category – above and beyond what would be expected under normal conditions – are no longer 'wholly being driven directly by Covid-19', with austerity and deprivation cited as possible reasons for the rise.

Some 341 'excess deaths' were registered in 2022 – an increase from 125 in 2021. They peaked in 2020 during the outbreak of the pandemic, with 493 registered.

The report notes the trend is continuing into 2023, with mid-year 'excess deaths' already at 225.

Councillor Keith Holloway, cabinet member for health and adult social care at Stockport council, told the LDRS: "There were NHS strikes, including ambulances, which might have contributed to it. The government is not making things easy at all, and we are not treating our NHS staff as we should be doing."

Cllr Holloway said increasing the government's health spend to support the NHS could bring in an extra £100m extra per year for Stockport.

Ambulance staff went on strike in December across Greater Manchester.

In August, it was revealed that an extra 900 beds will be made available in hospitals across Greater Manchester as the region prepares for winter.

Junior doctors are planning more strikes in September and October as the British Medical Association continues efforts to secure a better pay deal.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We are supporting the NHS with record funding, including up to £14.1bn over the next two years to tackle waiting lists and improve patient care.

"The NHS makes every effort through rigorous contingency planning to minimise disruption and protect patient safety during industrial action.

"We have agreed deals with several unions and continue to urge the BMA to call off strikes to avoid causing further disruption for patients."

~

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.

Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or Twitter