Study shows patient deaths quadrupled during first lockdown due to delays in medical care

Researchers at Oxford University looked at 1,100 autopsies from several areas of England for fatalities from a ‘potentially treatable condition’, where the patients had struggled to access medical care or died after being told to self-isolate.

 

A total of 44 of 602 deaths were attributed to these issues during the first lockdown.

 

Investigators warned of a ‘significant increase’ in deaths linked to difficulties accessing medical care, and said many of these patients would under normal circumstances have gone to hospital.

 

Experts have raised repeated concerns that lockdowns would trigger an increase in fatalities due to non-Covid causes, but this is believed to be the first study to confirm a link looking at autopsy reports.

 

Professor Ian Roberts, study leader and pathologist at Oxford University hospitals, said “I think it’s clear from our study that the excess deaths during the Covid lockdown is at least in part due to reduced access to medical care.

 

“I found myself doing a number of autopsies where the deceased had contacted medical services with symptoms related to their death.

 

“But instead of being admitted to hospital, which they normally would have been, they were told to self-isolate at home and didn’t have access to care.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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