-
's latest comments
ViewDate:
7th Jul 2016commented on:
Should smokers, drinkers, drug users and obese people be charged to see the doctor?I found this a very interesting and topical debate. I've had more than my fair share of NHS treatment and find it difficult to be unbiased in their favour but my last visit late last year made me think. There was so much waste of time and resources, not to mention abilities, so much discord in and between NHS staff, that I realised "that it be based on clinical need, not ability to pay" was a double edged sword: Taking an overview, the country's ability to pay is now in question. There must be a cut off point that balances the individual patient's needs with the individual taxpayers needs, not to mention the individual NHS employee's needs. Satisfying the needs of unavoidable and or unexpected illness and disability for everyone is a marvellous idea but achieving it without attracting, encouraging and perpetuating would-be abuse is the real-world reality and task in hand. NHS staff have face this reality all the time, they can't afford politician's ideologies. Like it or not, every need has to be evaluated against every other and resources allotted fairly and affordably. We all take risks with our everyday life choices, we have to face up to risk management and who foots the bill for it. So, for me, the debate is not should needs be assessed against costs but how to do it fairly down to the last penny. Personally, I'm looking after myself a lot more, physically and mentally, and enjoying it.