Renfrewshire has been named one of the deadliest communities for covid deaths in the country.
New figures, released this week, show that the local authority area has recorded the second highest covid death rate per head of population in Scotland.
Described as a “painful” reminder of Renfrewshire’s health inequalities - Neil Bibby MSP says the area’s people can not be neglected any longer.
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Renfrewshire has so far seen 527 lives lost to the virus, recording a death rate of 227 per 100,000 of population.
Only Glasgow City, with a rate of 260 per 100,000, has suffered more losses when age and other social factors have been taken into account.
Mr Bibby - who has called for more support for areas hardest hit by the virus - said gaping inequalities must be addressed as we emerge from the pandemic.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones during this awful crisis,” he said.
“Renfrewshire’s painful experience of covid has compounded long-standing inequalities and deep-rooted deprivation.
“The hardest hit places need extra support to get us through this crisis and to build for recovery.
“While the debate rages down south over levelling up the post-covid economy, the Scottish Government is silent on the regional disparities here holding places like Renfrewshire back.
“We cannot be neglected or left behind.
“It’s time for new leadership and new ideas to lift the hardest hit communities out of this crisis.
“It’s time for all local politicians, regardless of party, to get on board with the campaign for a fair deal for our area to help us recover and rebuild.”
Released by the National Records of Scotland, the new data shows that people in large urban areas - such as Renfrewshire - are 3.7 times as likely to die with covid as those in remote rural areas, after adjusting for age.
The Express also revealed last year how those living in parts of Renfrewshire dogged by deprivation are also twice as likely to die of covid than their wealthier counterparts.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said just last month that supporting its most vulnerable communities would be a top priority going forward.
A spokesman for the health board told the Express: “We are very aware of the impact of Covid-19 on deprived communities, and the effect it has on widening inequalities.
“We have worked hard to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our population have easy access to Covid testing and importantly covid vaccination.
“These have been delivered by working with local authorities, community leaders, and homelessness and addiction services.”
He added: “We work closely with Renfrewshire Council and our other partners on combatting the effects of poverty and deprivation, helping to provide a range of services from addressing child poverty and benefits advice to providing local addiction and mental health services.
“We also provide financial inclusion advice for patients in hospital and in GP practices in our most deprived areas.”
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf failed to set out specific measures to address health inequalities in Renfrewshire but said additional funding had been awarded to all health boards to bolster their response to the pandemic and push forward non-covid care.
He said: “I announced £12 million to support boards to deliver non-covid care and we continue to work closely with those experiencing the greatest challenges to ensure the funding delivers the improvements required.”
An additional £1.08 billion has been committed for health and care this year to support the response to the pandemic.
