HUNDREDS more deaths than previously expected have been recorded in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole since the coronavirus pandemic began, new figures show.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole recorded 818 more deaths between March 2020 and June 2022 than the five-year average would suggest.

This was eight per cent more deaths than were expected over this time period – meaning the area has an excess death rate below the 11.1 per cent average across England and Wales.

Across the two nations, 137,447 more deaths were registered over the 28-month period than expected compared with previous years.

The King's Fund think tank said this shows the "grim human toll of the pandemic", while wide geographical variations – caused by local infection rates, deprivation, and demographics among others – demonstrate the unequal impact of Covid-19.

Dr Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at the think tank, warned as winter approaches, the virus is still present and its future course is "unpredictable".

She said: "NHS services were already stretched prior to the pandemic and are now facing unprecedented pressures with a backlog of almost seven million people waiting for planned care, plus long delays in emergency services that could cause harm or be life-threatening.

"If the Government wants to forestall the risk of excess deaths climbing again, ministers must take steps now to ensure good uptake of the Covid-19 and flu vaccines, and that the NHS has the workforce and resources to cope with winter pressures.”

Excess deaths nationally peaked in April 2020 and January 2021, which were also the months which had the highest number of deaths due to coronavirus.

In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, the month with the highest excess deaths was April 2020, when they were 61.3 per cent above normal.

By contrast, January 2022 saw deaths 21.2 per cent below usual levels.

The Department of Health and Social Care said its world-leading vaccination programme continues to save lives, with all those over 50 being offered jabs for both Covid and flu.

A DHSC spokesperson added: “The Health and Social Care Secretary is focused on delivering for patients and has set out her four priorities of A, B, C, D – ambulances, backlogs, care, doctors and dentists."