Rineke Schram is quite right – crude mortality figures are fairly meaningless.

They depend on so many other factors.

To take an obvious example: if you took the crude mortality figure of a typical hospice – probably 100% – you would close it immediately.

But that would be crazy.

You have to take a lot of factors into account (including how many people die in hospital because other services/ facilities are not available).

I have not seen a detailed and careful analysis done of the figures for East Lancashire – perhaps they exist or perhaps they need to be done.

Then we can assess how big the problem actually is and how much extra staffing/money is needed.

tonygreaves (via website).