Jackie Baillie has told how the tragedy of rising avoidable deaths in Scotland is hitting deprived communities hard such as those in Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP was reacting to recently published figures by the National Records of Scotland which show NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with the highest rate of avoidable mortality in the country.

In the health board region, which incorporates West Dunbartonshire, a rate of 388 deaths per 100,000 people was recorded.

And there was further bad news for areas like West Dunbartonshire with the figures showing, in the most deprived areas of Scotland, the rate of avoidable mortality was almost four times as high as in the least deprived areas.

Alcohol and drug related avoidable mortality rates also increased for the ninth year in a row, according to the stats.

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton constituency MSP said: “These figures show that more people are dying in Scotland than in England and Wales, where their death could have been avoided.

“And, people in Dumbarton and the Vale are more likely to die from a preventable or treatable condition than those in other parts of the country just because of their postcode and the fact they stay in what is classed as a deprived community.

“Despite warning after warning, drug and alcohol deaths have kept rising, Covid has run rampant, and cancer continues to claim lives.

“Behind every single one of these figures is a needless personal tragedy and a shameful public health failing.

“As is all too often the case, it is the poorest communities paying the highest price for these failures. Scotland’s disgraceful health inequalities which are hitting local communities hardest, are nothing short of a national emergency, and they will continue to cost lives until we take action.

“There is no time to waste when lives are on the line – we need to support our NHS, deliver a real cancer catch-up plan and a proper public health response to the alcohol and drug death crisis Scotland faces.”