Excess baby deaths investigation
TLDRThe video discusses a concerning increase in neonatal deaths in Scotland, with a significant spike observed in 2021 and 2022. The Scottish government has ordered an inquiry into the higher-than-expected mortality rates among newborns, particularly within the first four weeks of life. Despite Scotland's small population, its well-collective data provides valuable insights. Preliminary investigations have ruled out a link to COVID-19, and Public Health Scotland has decided against investigating the vaccination status of the infants' mothers, deeming it unnecessary and potentially harmful. The video also touches on allegations of NHS hospitals misclassifying live births as stillborn to avoid scrutiny, which could impact the jurisdiction of coroners. The speaker calls for transparency and a thorough investigation to understand and address the causes of these excess deaths.
Takeaways
- 📊 The Scottish government has ordered an inquiry into an increased rate of neonatal deaths, which are higher than the five-year average.
- 🇬🇧 Scotland, with a population of under five and a half million, is known for collecting comprehensive data, unlike the United States.
- 📈 Notably, there were two spikes in neonatal deaths: one in September 2021 with at least 21 deaths, and another in March 2022 with at least 18 deaths.
- 👶 The term 'neonates' typically refers to newborns in the first week of life, sometimes extended to four weeks.
- 📉 The average mortality rate among newborns is about two per thousand births, but the rates in the mentioned periods were significantly higher.
- 🔎 A preliminary investigation found that the spike in September was not linked to COVID-19.
- 🏥 Public Health Scotland ruled out any link between the neonatal death spike and the COVID vaccine, including maternal vaccination status during pregnancy.
- 🏛️ The UK coroner system has no jurisdiction to investigate stillbirths, which is significant as it affects the investigation and protection of neonatal deaths.
- 📰 Reports from reputable newspapers like The Telegraph have raised concerns about the accuracy of neonatal death records in hospitals.
- 🌍 There are reports of increased excess deaths in various countries including Canada, Australia, and the UK, with causes often listed as unknown.
- 🗣️ Public comments suggest a perceived increase in unexplained deaths among young people and a call for transparency and investigation into these incidents.
Q & A
What is the context of the talk?
-The talk discusses an increase in neonatal deaths in Scotland, which has prompted an inquiry by the Scottish government. The speaker highlights the importance of data collection in understanding and addressing this issue.
What is the definition of neonates in the context of this discussion?
-In this context, neonates are newborns, typically in the first week of life. Some definitions may extend this period to four weeks.
What is the significance of the data from Scotland in this discussion?
-The data from Scotland is significant because it is well collected and provides a clear picture of the increase in neonatal mortality rates, which is a cause for concern.
What were the two spikes in neonatal deaths noted in Scotland?
-The two spikes in neonatal deaths were noted in September 2021, with at least 21 babies under four weeks dying, and March 2022, with at least 18 babies under four weeks dying.
What is the average mortality rate among newborns?
-The average mortality rate among newborns is about two per thousand births.
What was the mortality rate in September 2021 and March 2022?
-In September 2021, the mortality rate was 4.9, and in March 2022, it was 4.6, both significantly higher than the average rate.
What is the preliminary investigation's finding regarding the September spike in neonatal deaths?
-The preliminary investigation found that the September spike was not linked to COVID-19.
Why did Public Health Scotland decide against investigating the vaccination status of the mothers of the deceased infants?
-Public Health Scotland decided against it because they concluded that such an analysis would not be informative for public health decision making and could potentially harm vaccine confidence at a critical time.
What is the issue with the NHS logging baby deaths as stillborn to avoid scrutiny?
-The issue is that there are accusations that the NHS is misclassifying babies who were born alive as stillborn to avoid scrutiny and investigation by coroners, as coroners in the UK only have jurisdiction over babies who show signs of life after birth.
What is the concern regarding the classification of neonatal deaths versus stillbirths?
-The concern is that if babies who show signs of life are classified as stillborn, they would be excluded from the jurisdiction of coroners, which could prevent a thorough investigation into the cause of death.
What are some of the public's comments on the issue of increased deaths?
-Public comments suggest a perceived increase in deaths among young people and individuals who were previously healthy. There are also concerns about transparency and the classification of deaths in hospitals.
What is the speaker's final call to action regarding the increased neonatal deaths?
-The speaker calls for a thorough investigation into the reasons behind the increased neonatal deaths, and for these reasons to be publicly acknowledged so they can be included in health education and advice.
Outlines
📊 Increased Neonatal Mortality in Scotland: Inquiry Ordered
The video discusses a concerning rise in neonatal deaths in Scotland, prompting an official inquiry by the Scottish government. The term 'neonates' refers to newborns, typically in their first week of life, and the death rate has been higher than the five-year average. Scotland, with a population of under 5.5 million, is noted for its comprehensive data collection, making it a reliable source for such statistics. The Scottish government's inquiry is a formal request to Healthcare Improvement Scotland, an official body, to review the significant increase in neonatal mortality in 2021 and 2022. The BBC has reported on two specific spikes in neonatal deaths, one in September 2021 with at least 21 deaths and another in March 2022 with at least 18 deaths. The average mortality rate for newborns is about 2 per thousand births, but the rates in the mentioned months were 4.9 and 4.6 respectively, double the expected figures. Preliminary investigations have ruled out a link to COVID-19.
🏥 No Link Between COVID-19 Vaccine and Neonatal Deaths
The video script references reports from Scottish newspapers, including The Herald, which state that public health experts have found no link between the spike in neonatal deaths and the COVID-19 vaccine. The report emphasizes that there is no need to investigate the vaccination status of the infants' mothers during pregnancy. Public Health Scotland has decided against conducting such an analysis to avoid potential harm to individuals and to prevent any negative impact on vaccine confidence, which is critical during the pandemic. The decision is based on the belief that any such investigation would be uninformative for public health decision-making.
🤔 Discrepancies in Reporting of Baby Deaths and Stillbirths
The video touches on an investigation by The Telegraph, a reputable English newspaper, which found that NHS hospitals have allegedly misreported babies born alive as stillborn to avoid scrutiny. This is significant because, in the UK, coroners only have the power to investigate deaths of babies who have shown signs of life after birth. The video highlights the importance of accurate reporting, as misclassification can remove cases from the jurisdiction of coroners, potentially hindering the investigation into the causes of death. The script also mentions public comments and experiences from various locations, including Ireland, Canada, and Australia, where there have been reports of increased deaths among young people and those of unknown causes, suggesting a broader issue that needs to be addressed and understood.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Excess Deaths
💡Neonatal Mortality
💡Scottish Government Inquiry
💡COVID-19
💡Maternal Vaccination Status
💡Public Health Scotland
💡Stillbirth vs. Neonatal Death
💡Coroners and Jurisdiction
💡Transparency and Trust in Healthcare
💡Excess Deaths in Other Regions
💡Health Education and Advice
Highlights
The Scottish government has ordered an inquiry into a raised death rate in neonates.
Neonatal mortality rates in Scotland have been higher than expected based on the five-year average.
The term 'neonates' typically refers to newborns in the first week of life, sometimes extended to four weeks.
Scotland, with a population of under five and a half million, collects very good data on neonatal mortality.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland, an official government-affiliated body, is conducting a formal review of the significant increase in neonatal mortality in 2021 and 2022.
The BBC reported two particular spikes in neonatal deaths, one in September 2021 and another in March 2022.
The average mortality rate among newborns is about two per thousand, but the rates in the mentioned months were double the expected figures.
A preliminary investigation found that the September spike in neonatal deaths was not linked to COVID-19.
Dr. Sarah Stock from the University of Edinburgh expressed that the numbers are troubling and the reason is not yet known.
Public Health Scotland ruled out any link between the neonatal death spike and the COVID vaccine.
Experts from Public Health Scotland stated there is no need to investigate the vaccination status of the mothers of the deceased infants.
The Herald reported that identifying the vaccination status of the mothers could potentially harm individuals through judgment of their personal vaccination decisions.
Public Health Scotland concluded against analyzing maternal vaccination status as it would be uninformative for public health decision-making.
The Telegraph reported on an investigation revealing that NHS hospitals have allegedly claimed babies born alive were stillborn to avoid scrutiny.
There is a difference between stillborn and neonatal deaths, with the UK coroner system only having jurisdiction over the latter.
The classification of a baby's death as stillborn or neonatal could impact the level of investigation and scrutiny it receives.
Commenters on the channel have reported increased excess deaths among young people and unexplained illnesses, suggesting a broader issue.
The need for transparency, honesty, and integrity in healthcare provision is emphasized, with a call for investigation into the reasons behind the increased deaths.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: