Deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s were 25% higher than would normally be expected at the height of the pandemic in Scotland.

From April to June this year, there were 340 more deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than the average for the last five years.

A total of 18,201 deaths were registered in Scotland from all causes between April and June 2020 – a 33% increase compared with recent years.

Covid-19 was the underlying cause in 3,739 deaths over those months, making up 83% of the 4,515 excess deaths that occurred in the second quarter of this year.

National Records of Scotland figures published today show there was a significant rise in diabetes deaths, which were up 26% to 287.

The number of deaths from diseases of the genitourinary system (the genital area and urinary system) rose considerably too, reaching 298 – a 22.5% increase.

Respiratory disease deaths meanwhile fell by 20.6% to 1,258.

Deaths from other conditions, such as coronary heart disease, remained more stable.

Cancer deaths rose by 1.5% while, coronary heart disease deaths fell by 1.8%, and cerebrovascular disease killed 5.3% more people than in recent years.

Age Scotland has called for an investigation into the “extremely concerning” figures.

In June, social work leaders told healthandcare.scot a debate over the impact of covid restrictions on people in care homes was needed.

The convener of Social Work Scotland Kathryn Lindsay said a “more open conversation” was needed with the public about the unintended consequences of social distancing and visiting restrictions.

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