Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of ONS data showing that excess deaths in England and Wales were higher than the five-year average in September, October and November 2022; what steps he is taking to help reduce excess deaths; and if he will make a statement.

Whilst a detailed assessment 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.

We are 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 who for whom the vaccine may be less effective such as the immunosuppressed. We are 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.

We are 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, we will create extra capacity for elective care and improve patient health outcomes.

We are making progress in restoring services for preventable conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Based on the current rate of recovery, we expect NHS Health Check delivery, a core part of our CVD prevention pathway, to return to pre-pandemic levels by June 2023. The Department continues to work closely with partners to consider what more can be done to improve the prevention, detection, diagnosis and management of CVD.