NHS sanctions.

[paulpablo]

I don't know how true this is but either way it's a possible interesting discussion.

Officials representing the NHS are predicting that sanctions will be placed on smokers and people with a bmi of over 30.

There's already a sanction placed on people with a bmi of over 30 relating to them having to wait longer for surgery.

There's some surgery that they won't have to wait for, things like cancer.

I'm all for cost cutting on the NHS, I've spoke about it before that it amazes me that people seem to think that resources are magic and limitless and if you talk about cutbacks it makes you look like the bad guy for being sensible and acknowledging that resources are limited.
I spoke about this before on the thread about transsexuals, I don't believe they should get free surgery necessarily.

There's questionable situations in all cases obviously. I would question why someone with a bmi over 30 wouldn't be able to get surgery specifically if they're overweight because of the illness they have that requires surgery.

[abaris]

Depends on what the regulations are. Since cancer is exempt, I guess life threatening heart conditions fall into the same category. Probably other life threatening conditions too that require immediate attention.

It really depends, and since there's no list included it's hard to have an opinion.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Like abaris, I suspect the 'wait' will not apply for emergency surgeries, or to cure something that's going to kill you. Someone who needs surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor won't have to wait, regardless of tobacco use or BMI. Conversely, someone who wants to come in for an earlobe tuck would go to the bottom of the list.

Boru

[SteelCurtain]

I think elective surgeries like ACL reconstructions and SLAP repairs are the surgeries that are in this discussion.

[abaris]

I think elective surgeries like ACL reconstructions and SLAP repairs are the surgeries that are in this discussion.

Point is, it could be anything as long as nobody knows the details. There are conditions that leave you in constant pain if you don't get surgery. Like certain hip or back conditions. They might have to do something with bmi, but nothing with smoking. To leave them untreated is also a form of torture. But it's useless to speculate until we know what this is all about.

[account_inactive]

I believe this is only the case in Yorkshire, but the NHS should be implementing this idea nation-wide if they aren't already. Smokers and people that are overweight should be denied surgery until they sort themselves out and foreign aid should be cut entirely and diverted to the NHS instead.

[abaris]

Smokers and people that are overweight should be denied surgery until they sort themselves out and foreign aid should be cut entirely and diverted to the NHS instead.

Stupid speculation anyway, since there are no details as of yet. But, to tell the truth, I didn't expect anything less. Always unconcerned unless it's about your own hide. Let's go cutting everything that may help poor people abroad and at home. It's easy to sort oneself out, after all. Everyone will tell you that.

I wonder, since you never went into details, what you so far contributed to society. Given you age (yes, in this instance I play the age card) I can't imagine it to be much.

[account_inactive]

Let's go cutting everything that may help poor people abroad and at home. It's easy to sort oneself out, after all. Everyone will tell you that.

I firmly support helping the poor in the UK but those abroad are not our problem. British citizens first.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-york-...e-37265752

[abaris]

I firmly support helping the poor in the UK but those abroad are not our problem. British citizens first.

But you obviously don't see the connection between obesity, smoking and alcoholism and poor people. Poor people have only access to worse diets, seek escapism and are less concerned over their health than someone who's well off.

[account_inactive]

I firmly support helping the poor in the UK but those abroad are not our problem. British citizens first.

But you obviously don't see the connection between obesity, smoking and alcoholism and poor people. Poor people have only access to worse diets, seek escapism and are less concerned over their health than someone who's well off.

Indeed, it's a problem we need to address. Unfortunately the NHS is struggling and has been for many years.