Winter deaths fall in Stirling as region marks a drop from 2022 record high

More than 350 winter deaths were recorded in Stirling last year as the region recorded a fall from 2022’s record high figure.

The latest data published by the National Records of Scotland has reported a total of 353 deaths in Stirling during the ‘winter’ period - measured as between December and March.

These months are traditionally associated with higher mortality, with the previous four months of 2023 between August and November seeing 317 deaths recorded.

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The Stirling picture is one which followed the trend reported nationally in the NRS statistics, with a fall in Scotland of 10 per cent in 2023 to the previous year’s figure - which was the highest rate of winter mortality in 30 years.

Among the most common recorded causes for mortality during the winter months in Scotland were dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, influenza, chronic lower respiratory disease, coronary (ischaemic) heart disease, other respiratory system diseases and pneumonia.

By contrast, deaths as a result of ‘exposure to excessive national cold’ represents a very small figure, with fewer than ten recorded in this category since 2019.

The improvement in the picture of winter deaths comes on the back of concerns raised by an MSP earlier this month about level of preparedness for the busy months in the hospital services within Forth Valley.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart had said the region faced a “terrifying” winter in the face of poor accident and emergency waiting times figures at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Just 47.4 per cent of patients arriving at FVRH were seen, treated and admitted, discharged or transferred within the four-hour guideline target in the latest release from August this year.

But NHS Forth Valley chiefs hit back at the criticism and insisted the service was “well prepared” for another busy winter.

A spokeswoman for the service told the Observer that staff were well prepared for the busy winter ahead

She said: “Staff and colleagues working in local health and care services across the area are doing everything possible to reduce delays and anyone who requires urgent health advice for something which isn’t life-threating can visit NHS Inform or call NHS 24 on 111 to get the right care as quickly as possible.

“Detailed plans have been developed to ensure local health and care services are well prepared for the busy winter period.

“This includes plans to increase staffing, free up inpatient beds and improve discharge arrangements.

“These plans will be closely monitored throughout the winter period to respond to manage demand and address any capacity issues as quickly as possible.”