Excess winter deaths up nearly 2,000 across West Midlands

Provisional statistics for last winter show a significant rise in the number of excess winter deaths across the West Midlands, with 5,300 recorded overall – up from 3,610 in 2016/17.

In the Black Country the number of deaths rose from 610 to 810.

In Wolverhampton the number rose from 100 in 2015/16 to 190 excess deaths in 2016/17.

In Sandwell the number went up from 170 to 210, and Dudley saw an increase from 130 to 230.

Only Walsall saw a decrease in the number of excess winter deaths, dropping from 210 to 180.

In Staffordshire, the number rose in Stafford from 70 in 2015/16 to 100 in 2016/17. It also increased in South Staffordshire from 30 excess deaths to 80.

Lichfield stayed the same, with 70 excess deaths in both years. And Cannock Chase saw a drop, from 80 in 2015/16 to 60 in 2016/17.

Excess winter deaths are defined as the difference between the number of deaths in the winter months – December to March – compared with the previous three months – August to November – and the following – April to July.

The provisional figures, released through the Office for National Statistics, show a rise across England – from 32,730 in 2016/17 to 46,600 in 2017/18.

Oftec, the trade body for the oil heating industry, said an important contributing factor to these deaths was the high number of people living in homes they can’t afford to adequately heat, particularly in rural areas where properties tend to be older, poorly insulated and harder to keep warm.

Malcolm Farrow, from Oftec, said: “The latest government statistics reveal the hidden crisis facing the West Midlands and it is deeply concerning the number of winter deaths continues to rise.

“For far too long this issue has not been given the attention it deserves and too many people are struggling on in silence.

“Many of us take keeping our houses warm for granted but for a large number of households it is a constant source of anxiety.”

“It is important everyone is aware of the support available which is why we are sharing our winter guide.”

Oftec recommends heating living rooms to at least 21C (69.8F) and other rooms to at least 18C (64.4F).