Death rates in Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire among highest in East Midlands

The Office for National Statistics has released statistics on death rates in the UK.

According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 12.2 people died per 1,000 people in Chesterfield last year.

Meanwhile, 12 people died per 1,000 people last year in North East Derbyshire.

Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire came second and third respectively in a list of death rates per 1,000 people in the East Midlands in 2017.

East Lindsey in Lincolnshire – where 14 people died per 1,000 people last year – topped the list for the region.

According to Derbyshire County Council, the main causes of death in the area in 2017 included dementia, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, respiratory diseases and cerebrovascular diseases including strokes and aneurysms and these reflect the national picture.

Councillor Carol Hart, the council's cabinet member for health and communities, said: "We want all our residents to enjoy happy healthy lives and serious illness can have a devastating impact on families and communities.

"Many conditions such as diabetes and heart disease can be delayed or even prevented with some simple lifestyle changes which is why we work in close partnership with the NHS and other organisations across the county to deliver a wide range of preventative work designed to help people live longer, healthier lives."

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Number of excess winter deaths revealed

Meanwhile, new ONS statistics show there were 50,100 excess deaths across England and Wales last winter. Of these, 4,200 were in the East Midlands.

The excess winter mortality rate compares the number of deaths between December and March to those during the rest of the year.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK's charity director, said: "A toxic cocktail of poor housing, high energy prices and ill health can make winter a dangerous time for many older people, and tragically it is the oldest old and those who are the most vulnerable who particularly suffer the consequences.

"We know such high levels of excess winter deaths are not inevitable.

"As a country we are not doing enough to ensure our older population stays warm and well throughout the harsh winter months.

"Age UK is urging older people to do everything possible to protect themselves against the threats posed by the winter cold – and it is vital that we pull together and make sure we all help those around us."

Anyone who is concerned about staying warm and healthy this winter should call the Age UK's advice line free of charge on 0800 169 6565 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/winter