This report by Martha Henriques, cites Peter Goldblatt, senior advisor at UCL Institute of Health Equity, who was not involved in the research, who commented that the study was "well done and the conclusions were fairly balanced". The studies do not draw a clear causal link between underfunding of health and social care and increased mortality.
"They are saying that none of the usual explanations provide the whole picture, and that's why you need to look at the kind of factors to which the elderly are most sensitive," said Goldblatt. "Health and social care are key factors in the circumstances."
However, he cautioned that the UK's ageing population may play a bigger role in the figures than is accounted for. He said there was a need for further research into how this adds pressure on health and care services.