160 extra excess winter deaths in county in a year

A 50 per cent increase in the number of excess deaths in the county was witnessed during the winter of 2014-2015. Usually the figure that can be attributed to the cold weather is in the region of 300 but in 2014/15 it was 460.

The rise has led to fresh fears for frail and vulnerable residents this winter and renewed calls for help.

Cumbria’s increasingly elderly population is among the additional risk factors that health and support experts say can impact on numbers locally.

Coordinated efforts to tackle winter warmth issues in Cumbria have begun.

Councils, housing associations, charities and social care bodies met in Penrith.

Mary Bradley, chief executive of Age UK West Cumbria, said: “We held the multi-agency event in October because we recognise the issue of winter warmth and it highlighted how we all contribute to trying to prevent it.

“We’re running once again this winter our special Winter Warmth Helpline for anyone who needs help staying warm. It operated for the first time last year and it was so successful we’re doing it again.”

The helpline – 08443 843 843 – is for anyone in need, regardless of their age.

It can help people tackle issues such as high fuel costs, broken boilers, and getting help to pay for measures such as draught excluders.

Mrs Bradley said: “The helpline allows us to have bigger discussions with those who call us about how they heat their homes. For instance, we check that they can heat and eat. We also know there are many people who use oil to heat their homes so we look at identifying oil groups where residents can order large quantities together at lower costs.

“We help identify the opportunities that are out there for people.”

She added: “Excess winter deaths are about factors such as medication too, ensuring those who need it get it delivered on time and correctly so they aren’t falling ill. And people must not heat just one room – it is better to have a constant temperature throughout because it can be bad going from a warm room into a cold one.”

Mrs Bradley hopes neighbours can check on those nearby – a plea echoed by Cumbria’s director of public health, Colin Cox.

He said: “Looking out for other people is just as important as looking after yourself by wearing lots of thin layers, eating or drinking something hot and moving around the house. Please check on those who live nearby, particularly the more vulnerable.”

He added that Cumbria’s large increase in excess winter deaths in 2014/15 reflected record highs recorded nationally that year.

Provisional figures for 12 months ago now appear to show that excess winter death figures are also returning to normal expected levels, with 2014/15 being a “spike” year.

The high number of excess winter deaths in 2014/15 has prompted leaders of the county’s leading Winter Warmth Appeal to call on Cumbrians for help.

The Cumbria Community Foundation hopes people will sign up for its 2017 Big Sleep taking place in Windermere next month.

Since its launch the Big Sleep has raised £70,000 of the £500,000 raised in total.

Andy Beeforth, chief executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “I’m deeply saddened to see the most recent excess winter death figures rise to 460. That’s 460 older people in our county who have succumbed to the effects of the cold weather.

“All the money raised from The Big Sleep goes straight to older people who are trying to keep themselves warm in the winter.”

Hardy souls will have the chance to sleep under the stars beside the lake. Last year they raised £21,000 in one night.

People can also choose to take part in the Big Sleep at home too. To sign up go online at www.cumbriafoundation. org/bigsleep/.

Donations to the Winter Warmth Appeal can also be made online or via text to 70070 including the code WINT37 – for example, WINT37 £5 to 70070.

Cheques payable to the Cumbria Community Foundation with “Winter Warmth” written on the back can also be sent to the charity’s base at Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.