Death in winter

And for some of them, at least, it may well be preventable.

As the area moves towards what is predicted to be the coldest winter in more than 10 years, health chiefs this week revealed there had been 185 "excess" deaths in South Worcestershire last winter.

And Dr Tim Davies, director of public health for South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, admitted: "Theoretically they are preventable."

However, he added: "Most of these deaths are due to heart and lung conditions.

"Flu is often implicated as it can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia, especially in the elderly. Hypothermia itself accounts for only a very small number of deaths."

"Excess" winter deaths are defined as any additional deaths occurring over the winter months over and above the monthly average of non-winter deaths.

The four months of winter - December 1 to March 31 are omitted when the annual figures are compiled. Deaths for the eight months outside winter are totalled and then divided by eight to provide a monthly average.

Deaths over this figure during the winter months are referred to as "excess".

A breakdown of the figures for last year show there were 78 "excess" deaths in Wychavon, 58 in Worcester City, and 49 in Malvern Hills.

With a harder winter reportedly on the way, these figures are expected to rise this year.

"It is a pattern seen everywhere in the country," said Dr Davies. "I would say it must be true to say that some of them would be preventable.

"Can we prevent all deaths? Probably not."

The PCT has launched a guide entitled Your Health This Winter to prepare people for the cold months ahead and stay well.

Dr Davies said: "There's nothing worse than being ill, especially over winter.

"We're keen to make sure people know how to keep themselves well and have information about how to use local health services if they need them.

"This handy guide will help people take preventative steps and know exactly where to go and who to contact if they need treatment."

The most vulnerable groups are:

l People aged 65 or over.

l Anyone with a serious illness including serious heart, chest or respiratory conditions (including asthma), kidney disease, diabetes or lowered immunity due to disease or treatment.

l Residents in a long-stay residential or nursing home.

Dr Alan Tweddell of the Health Protection Agency said that up to the end of October only around 53 per cent of local people had taken advantage of free flue jabs in South Worcestershire.

Although no more up-to-date figures were available, he said it appeared that the take-up figure for the elderly was about the same as last year, although more younger people with conditions such as asthma and diabetes had led to several practices calling for more supplies of the vaccine.