Exclusive: Analysis which sparked deaths controversy is axed The national public health oversight body has stopped its regular analysis reports which drew attention to the fact that mortality among older people has been higher than expected since the beginning of 2012. Public Health England stopped the production of the reports on deaths, which had been produced weekly by one of its regional public health intelligence teams, shortly after their findings were shared with HSJ and made public. It resulted in widespread media coverage and shadow health secretary Andy Burnham called for an “urgent investigation” of the issue. The cause of the increase in deaths is not known. Experts have said they could be related to particular viruses, or to cuts to support services. PHE confirmed to HSJ it had stopped the production of the reports in the wake of the publicity. A spokesman said the publicity had drawn the organisation’s attention the fact the reports were “duplicating” work done in other parts of the organisation. He said a PHE regional analyst had produced the report “in his previous role” with the Department of Health, before transferring to PHE in April. hsj.co.uk/topics/public-health/exclusive-analysis-which-sparked-deaths-controversy-is-axed/5062175.article
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 12:54:53 +0000
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