Deaths rise as junior doctors strike

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Between March 11 and March 24, the number of additional deaths was three times higher than in the previous two weeks, according to the Office for National Statistics. Some 22,021 deaths were recorded in England between February 25 and March 10, which was 833 – 3.9 per cent – higher than the five-year average.

But in the week of the junior doctors’ strike and the week after that, 22,571 deaths were recorded, or 2,247 deaths — 11.1 percent — above average. Both weeks were used in the telegraph analysis as death registrations take an average of five days to be made, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, said: “This is certainly plausible [the strikes] would have contributed to [the rise in excess deaths]. “

He added that depending on when Easter is, between March and April, it could also inflate an apparent excess of deaths, as that delays some of the death registration processes.

Dr Charles Levinson, of DoctorCall’s private physician service, said: “Excess deaths have remained consistently high throughout 2022 which, after a period of increased deaths during the pandemic, is unexpected to say the least.

“In a period of such continually excess deaths and enormous pressure on the system, attributing direct responsibility is impossible. But it is clear that anything that adds stress to services will inevitably lead to more delays and therefore more damage.”

Dr. Levinson urged all parties to “get around the negotiating table and come to a reasonable agreement.”

Experts said other factors could contribute to the excess deaths, such as flu cases, hospitalizations and cold weather.

Paul Bristow, the Conservative MP for Peterborough, who sat on the Health Select Committee, said: “These statistics are alarming. It certainly makes sense that if the NHS were providing fewer services and were less responsive as a result of the industrial action, patients would suffer and excess deaths could occur.

“This is a reminder that striking medical professionals has very real consequences for patients.”

The Junior Doctors are currently in the middle of a 96-hour strike, which ends Saturday morning.

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