Our free-to-use, state-funded NHS breeds irresponsibility in too many people
We need to target those who know their lifestyle is dangerously unhealthy but expect the NHS to pick up the pieces
Self-care system
A FREE-to-use state-funded health system breeds irresponsibility in too many people.
We don’t just mean those calling ambulances or pitching up in packed A&Es for the tiniest of injuries.
We mainly mean those who know their lifestyle is dangerously unhealthy, yet expect the NHS to pick up the pieces.
So we applaud Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s new focus on ensuring patients take better care of themselves. That will prevent illness and ease the workload and costs on an NHS which, as it stands, will struggle no matter how many billions more are ploughed into it.
Obesity is preventable and reversible. But look at its human and financial cost. The last eight years have seen a six-fold rise in sufferers needing joints replaced, at huge expense. Diabetes is soaring too.
The nanny-state edicts of the likes of Public Health England, an overstuffed £4billion-a-year quango that should be broken up, are the wrong answer.
Taxes on treats, or daft calorie limits, hit the low-paid hardest, hinder choice and punish everyone, no matter how healthy. Mr Hancock is right to shun them.
But it IS time for education campaigns and medical staff to more robustly challenge patients whose habits are burdening the NHS and slowly killing them.
They need to realise that they can, and should, resolve their own problems without troubling a GP or hospital.
Rent asunder
THE rent trap afflicting a generation of working people is a shameful reversal of the Thatcher home-ownership revolution.
A shortage of properties, and soaring prices, leave many unable to buy. Unless they qualify for social housing they may have no choice, ever, but an exorbitant, insecure private rental.
We need a huge increase in building to make homes affordable again. But Lord O’Neill demands a vast social housing revolution too.
The Government should listen.
Wrecker Leo
LEO Varadkar is now personally accused of blocking Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
The self-regarding Irish PM doubtless fancies himself in the role. But, if so, Brussels should put him straight.
The DUP and Tory Brexiters need a guarantee we cannot be trapped forever in the Irish backstop if trade talks stall.
A warm letter merely assuring them of the EU’s best intentions is a waste of ink.
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Halt the thugs
THE intimidation of Anna Soubry MP outside Parliament yesterday was an outrage.
We profoundly disagree with her on Brexit. But thugs should not be able to scream abuse in her face. Nor do they remotely represent 17.4million Leavers.
Why did police let them get away with it?