CAMPAIGNERS are demanding action to tackle poverty across Renfrewshire after it was revealed the area suffered a huge rise in winter deaths.

Data from the National Records of Scotland shows a jump of more than 12 per cent in deaths last winter compared to the previous year.

The figure is higher than the national increase of 10 per cent, suggesting winter is having a more deadly impact here than in other parts of Scotland.

More than 830 deaths were recorded in Renfrewshire between December and March.

And the seasonal increase in deaths was 180 – double the total recorded a decade ago.

No other local authority in Scotland has seen winter deaths increase at such a rapid rate over that time.

The seasonal increase is worked out by comparing the number of winter deaths to the average number of deaths across other periods of the year.

And the figures have fuelled concerns that not enough people in Renfrewshire are protecting themselves against flu.

There are also fears that many residents are suffering because they are unsure about which benefits they are entitled to.

Adam Stachura, head of policy and communications at Age Scotland, told The Gazette: “What I have spotted is the life expectancy of people in Renfrewshire is considerably lower than that of neighbouring East Renfrewshire and we often see a correlation between people’s incomes and their life expectancy.

“People need to be heating their homes sufficiently in winter but many struggle to afford it and some are unaware they are entitled to certain benefits.

“This year, energy companies hiked their fuel prices between four and nine per cent, which could add hundreds more pounds to a person’s heating bills.

“There also needs to be a huge effort to ensure people know about the flu jab and get it if they are eligible.”

There is no single cause of additional deaths in winter but, with most being caused by pneumonia, respiratory problems and circulatory system diseases, Mr Stachura said people can take action to avoid being struck down by these “avoidable” illnesses.

He added: “People need to be staying warm and making sure they keep moving. It’s not enough to just throw an extra blanket on.

“People have speculated that the Beast from the East had an effect last year on deaths but it’s not really the case, as a lot of these deaths actually happened earlier on in the season.”

Dr Linda de Caestecker, director of public health at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, has stressed that the flu jab offers “the best available protection” this winter.

She said: “Flu is more than a bad cold and can make people very unwell. It’s highly infectious and can hit anyone.

“In the most serious cases, flu can bring on pneumonia or other serious infections which can, in extreme cases, result in death.

“It’s also important that everyone takes precautions to stay warm. I would encourage older people, in particular, to dress warmly when they go out and to eat at least one hot meal a day, along with plenty of hot drinks.”