Over 800 excess deaths have been recorded in Dorset since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to new figures.

The figures have been revealed as experts warn winter NHS pressures could lead to excess deaths 'climbing again'.

Data from the Office for National Statistics show the county recorded 834 more deaths between March 2020 and June 2022 than the five-year average would suggest.

This was 7.8% more deaths than were expected over this time period – meaning the area has an excess death rate below the 11.1% 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 – 64% of which were men.

In Dorset, the month with the highest excess deaths was April 2020, when they were 52.6% above normal.

By contrast, January 2022 saw deaths 22.6% below usual levels.

The King's Fund think tank warned that excess deaths could climb across England and Wales this winter and called on the Government to take action before the winter.

Dr Veena Raleigh, senior fellow at the think tank, warned that as winter approaches the NHS faces an 'unprecedented backlog'.

She said: "NHS services were already stretched prior to the pandemic and are now facing unprecedented pressures with a backlog of almost 7 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.”

The ONS figures also include a small number of people who died whose usual residence is outside England and Wales.

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."