Coronavirus victims in deprived areas twice as likely to die

People living in deprived areas of Scotland are twice as likely to die from coronavirus as those in the wealthiest areas, latest figures reveal.

According to National Records of Scotland statistics, the Covid-19 death rate is 125 per 100,000 population in the most deprived areas of the country. This compares with 61 per 100,000 population in the least deprived.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon described the figures as “shameful”.

© Fraser Bremner

She said: “This scandalous postcode lottery is another example of persistent health inequalities in Scotland. We are seeing a growing health divide between rich and poor in Scotland, following years of austerity and complacency from SNP and Tory ministers.

“The Scottish Government should be supporting the NHS to see as many patients as possible, especially in those areas where people are more likely to have underlying health conditions.”

Of those who died from Covid-19, 92% had at least one pre-existing condition. The most common were dementia, Alzheimer’s and heart disease.

Meanwhile, NHS Scotland proposals could see patients having to make appointments to attend A&E this winter to prevent crowded units where patients would be at risk of catching Covid-19.