FOI 8143– Request
Received: 03/02/2021
Subject: Covid 19 Death
For the 12 month period 1st February 2020 to 31st January 2021 could you please identify and confirm how many deaths have been recorded within the trust that are solely attributable to COVID-19?
In other words the patient’s death cannot be either directly or indirectly attributable to an underlying health condition and/or trauma afflicted to the patient prior to death.
NHS Trust Response
Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request on the above subject.
We have completed our search for information and the details are as follows:
As at 4th February 2021, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has had 726 Covid-19 deaths for period 1st February 2020 to 31st January 2021, these are deaths which have met the following criteria and have been reported nationally:
- A positive Covid-19 test result within 28 days of death
- Cited on either Part 1 or Part 2 of the death certificate
The trust is unable to provide information on deaths “solely to the effects of Covid-19 excluding deaths from other causes” as this would require the Trust to undertake a patient note review of all the patient who died due to covid-19.
Therefore the Trust is applying exemption Section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, as although this information is held, it is not held in a reportable format and would exceed the 18 hour time threshold as stated in this section of the Freedom of Information Act.
The full Freedom of Information Act 2000 is available on the legislation website via the following link: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/contents The Trust is regarding this response as a full and complete discharge of its responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to this request. I trust it fulfils your requirements but should you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me and I will attempt to resolve your issues.
If you have any queries I would be grateful if you would contact me so that we can discuss the issues. Details of the complaints procedure will be sent to you should you wish to see them. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
If you are not content with the outcome your complaint, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the Trust. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Coordinator