New report shows regional variations in avoidable death rates

The government has raised concerns over evidence suggesting that rates of avoidable early deaths among people in the UK varies considerably depending on geographical region.

Data collated for a new website comparing regional care standards across the country have showed that the north of England has a higher risk of early death than the south, though a more complex picture emerges when comparing areas of a similar socio-economic status.

Rotherham and Redcar and Cleveland were shown to have the best rates of reducing premature deaths among local authorities with the greatest levels of deprivation, while Bracknell Forest and Central Bedfordshire were the worst-performing in terms of affluent areas.

Making this data transparent will allow professionals and the public to see how their local area is performing over time, allowing interventions and improvements to take place when needed.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "This shocking variation in early and unnecessary deaths means people’s lives are needlessly cut short and that cannot continue unchecked."

Addressing such issues is part of the reason why the government introduced greater local control over health service planning and purchasing with its NHS reforms in April 2013.