MORE than 1,200 Swindon deaths could have been avoided, figures show.

Data from the Department of Health and Social Care shows between 2014 and 2016, more than 1,207 people’s deaths were deemed avoidable.

Statisticians believe they could have been treated by doctors or their deaths could have been prevented by public health measures, such as anti-smoking campaigns.

Of the 1,207 avoidable deaths in 2014-2016, 729 were men and 478 were women. Swindon’s avoidable mortality rate, 215.6 avoidable deaths per 100,000 people, was slightly lower than the nation average. But it was almost 25 per cent higher than the Wiltshire rate of 175.8 deaths per 100,000.

Swindon public health chief said her team were focussed on promoting healthier lifestyles.

Campaigners have linked avoidable deaths to deprivation. Nationally, Manchester and Blackpool have the worst avoidable death rates, with these cities also boasting some of the most deprived wards in England.

John Date of think tank the International Longevity Centre said: “Our Inequalities Matter report found that although life expectancy is increasing overall in the UK, improvements are slower paced in more deprived areas meaning that the gap in life expectancy between the rich and poor is slowly worsening over time.”

In Swindon, figures published by the council earlier this year showed life expectancy in the town’s most affluent wards was eight years’ longer than our poorest neighbourhoods. Men living in areas like Old Walcot live in good health 14.1 years longer on average than their counterparts in Walcot, the other side of Queen’s Drive.

Borough councillor Emma Bushell said at the time: “I think it’s just a damning indictment on the society we live in. It’s not acceptable in a developed society. It’s not acceptable in Swindon.”

Ashleigh Doggett, senior nurse at the British Heart Foundation, warned poverty could increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease: “This is largely due to unhealthier lifestyles, such as being more likely to smoke and less likely to regularly eat fruit and vegetables.”

Cherry Jones, the borough’s director of public health, said: “Promoting healthy lifestyles is a key priority for the council. We offer a wide range of initiatives to help people stay active and to encourage healthy living.

“With the Swindon Healthy Weight Strategy and Get Swindon Active Strategy, we are encouraging people to achieve a healthy weight and we are supporting those who need extra help in making positive food choices, managing their weight and being physically active.”

“Stopping smoking is vitally important if people wish to improve their quality of life, live longer and save money. To find out more about the services we offer, call the Live Well Swindon Hub on 01793 465513 or email: livewell@swindon.gov.uk.”