Deaths among people in Scotland receiving care and support in their homes rose dramatically during the pandemic, new data has revealed.

The number of people who receive home care who died increased by 71% between 2019 and 2020, according to figures provided to the Care Inspectorate.

Covid-19 only accounted for around 12% of the 2,977 deaths between April 2020 and March 2021, leading to concerns that interruptions to support could be behind the rise in deaths.

The data was obtained by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and reported by The Ferret. 

Analysis of similar figures from England also revealed an increase, with deaths of adults receiving home care up by around half in 2020.

It has been suggested previously that a steep rise in deaths from dementia, diabetes and other non-covid conditions during lockdown could be linked to what has been called the “wholesale removal of social care packages”.

In the early days of the pandemic Glasgow council announced it would only provide ‘life and limb’ social care in people’s homes, leaving many without help to prepare meals or wash and dress.

Scottish Care CEO Donald Macaskill told The Ferret: “Undeniably there have been more people dying in the community. The question is could we have done more to support them. And I think we could have.

“Care homes were rightly at the front of our minds. But out of sight and mind were the people isolated in their own homes, especially those who didn’t have family.

“An inquiry is needed not just to look at the impact on care homes but to look at the impact in the community.”

The call for an inquiry was also backed by Jackie Bailie, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader and health spokesperson:

“The failure to support Scots receiving care, both at home and through care homes, cost thousands of lives and put intolerable strain on providers, recipients of social care and families. The failure to manage the pressures of covid led recipients to miss out on other care they desperately needed,” she said.

“An inquiry must be able to consider all available evidence to ensure such a tragedy never happens again.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “We mourn every death from covid-19 and express our sympathy for all those who have lost loved ones, and for the distress and grief experienced by individuals and their families. 

“The Scottish government will continue to learn lessons from the covid-pandemic and, subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election, intends to have a full public inquiry which considers all aspects of how the covid-19 pandemic has been handled. 

“Saving people’s lives has been and continues to be the priority of the Scottish government throughout the pandemic.”

Read more: Insight: Year ahead ‘critical’ for social care future; ‘Devastating’ scale of home care cuts revealed; Loved one’s fears after Glasgow care cuts; Further social care reductions announced

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