I appreciate your concerns about the number of excess deaths recorded by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Whilst a detailed assessment of the causes behind the rise in the number of excess deaths is not yet available, it is likely that a combination of factors has contributed to the Office of National Statistics measure of excess mortality, including high flu prevalence, the ongoing challenges of Covid-19 and health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. On 12 January, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities updated its excess deaths report, providing some insight into causes that have contributed to excess deaths.
The Health Secretary has discussed the issue in detail with both the Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Director for NHS England. The Government is taking steps to help reduce excess deaths, including those which involve Covid-19. Vaccines remain the first line of defence against Covid-19. Antivirals and other treatments provide a necessary additional line of defence by playing a crucial role in protecting patients who become infected with Covid-19, particularly those for whom the vaccine may be less effective such as the immunosuppressed. The Government is preparing for variants of Covid-19 and respiratory challenges, with an integrated Covid-19 booster and flu vaccination programme, minimising hospital admissions from both viruses. This winter, it is vital that eligible people get their booster jab and their flu jab to protect themselves, their loved ones and the National Health Service.
The Government is also taking action to reduce excess deaths due to other factors. The NHS has published a delivery plan setting out a clear vision for how the NHS will recover and expand elective services over the next three years. The plan commits the NHS to deliver nine million additional treatments and diagnostic procedures over the next three years and around 30 percent more elective activity than it was doing before the pandemic by 2024/25. Through the pathway improvement programme, the Government will create extra capacity for elective care and improve patient health outcomes.
The Government is making progress in restoring services for preventable conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Based on the current rate of recovery, the Government expects NHS Health Check delivery, a core part of our CVD prevention pathway, to return to pre-pandemic levels by June 2023. The Department for Health and Social Care continues to work closely with partners to consider what more can be done to improve the prevention, detection, diagnosis and management of CVD.