General Chat

I hate smoking and rarely drink, But If you pay your National insurance and tax, and are a british citizen, then you have as much right as the next person to be treated on the NHS. If your problem worsens because of drink or smoke, then your health will pay the price, despite of what treatment you recieve. These people dont get my sympathy. My mum died from lung cancer, she smoked. once she was diagnosed with it (as a routine xray for work showed it up) she stopped smoking.She wanted to give herself the best chance of life, sadly it wasnt to be. My dad was diagnosed with Angina, had his last fag on leaving the doctors, hasnt smoked now in 9 years. Hes still got the condition, but it hasnt been worsened by the weed. As for transplanrts for alcoholics, yes everyone should have that chance. It makes me flaming angry when people abuse this gift of life...in fact this disgusts me, but for every one alcoholic who abuses their new organ, there are five more who will cherish it, they shouldnt miss out on life because of a selfish few. Elaine x

I wonder when the first test case to sue the NHS for non treatment will happenand what will be the result we all pay NI and taxes so we expect a service Howardxx

This is what has ACTUALLY been said: My asterisks: Patients could be denied treatment ***if their lifestyle makes it ineffective***, the NHS advisory body says. But the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) said ******treatment should not be denied because their condition was self-induced***. It doesn't mean you won't be treated because you are fat/a smoker, it means you won't be treated if your obesity/smoking will make treatment useless. nell

Good point Donna, the way things are going anythings possible:-((

Yes this is totally and morally wrong of NHS, and I can sympathise with those who are going mad about replacements. I need 2 hips and knees and have been told to young, as they like you to be over 60,but like others have said do to lose of mobility I am now overweight; so does that mean in 6 yrs time I will still be refused by been obese Babs

Which takes us onto overdoses etc.....will they will be left untreated as theyve so called self inflicted it? Where does it stop really? What is this country doing? Madness!

Not bad at all thanks Roxanne very pleased to see you :-) Hope you have a brilliant time with Mum bet you feel the cold :-( Look forward to when you are back on here more regularly. Oh and I agree with what you have just said as well. Take Care Pat x

hi Mandy, I know what you mean, My brother was always breaking,spraining or bruising something when he played football:-))

hi Pat, Nice to see you, Ive been in the U.K for a week to see mum, Im very well thank you, how you doing? Roxanne x

Hi Roxanne I was asking after you the other day :-) hope you are well? Pat x Sorry Deborah hope you don't mind me just saying hello to Roxanne on your thread. Pat x

People who smoke and drink pay very heavy taxes for their addiction, some of which goes towards the N.H.S, these people have the same rights as people without these addictions, would they deny a rock climber, driver, fitness freak who injures themselves during their activity, I think not !! they are after all putting their lives at risk.

I am sorry I didn't realise Deborah that is disgusting and totally unethical & as others say there is no stopping this discrimination once it starts. All I can say is its appalling & I am sad for people that it will affect. Just wondering would people have a case to fight this in Europe under the Human Rights? it would be interesting to see a test case. Pat x

This is just getting stupid. Clearly there has to be limits to make sure that treatment is cost effective but every case is individual. It is wrong to say smokers wont be treated or drinker brought it upon them selves. Presumably on this basis no sexually transmitted diseases will be treated all now, and abortion is well and truly off the NHS agenda?

Deborah - yours is an ironic tale - the best way to loose weight they keep telling us, is to be active !!!! How can he be in his position - crazy !!!

Amazing isn't it? given the amount of revenue the Government make from smokers and drinkers ???? So if we are to be refused treatment - do we get the option to opt out of NI contributions as recompense?? No, I doubt it !!!

Sadly Pat it would appear that it has in east Suffolk : 'The report comes after it emerged last month that obese people will not be entitled to hip and knee replacement surgery on the NHS in East Suffolk.'

Of course morally wrong & it is not up to any health workers to stand in anyone's judgement. I cannot see that this will be accepted or agreed. Let's face it at the end of the day it will be discrimination against themselves as I am sure many health workers smoke drink & are obese too. Pat x

I'm glad we're all in agreeance...it infuriates me to think that the NHS Trusts have the right and in the case of Suffolk NHS the POWER to refuse people. My father was a thin 18yr old who had a serious mortorbike accident in hospital for quite a while and then out of action for 18 months thereafter. the result of which has left him with a dodgy leg ( shorter than the other ) . He has been in need of a hip op since his 50's . He is a tall overweight man and was asked to loose weight before his a hip op............ he has tried so very hard and now aged 60 has been refused as overweight...... he's mobility would improve greatly with this op.......... He has never taken a sickie in his life ..... I could whack the authorities I really could!!!

The fat chap on the news the other night was being refused a hip operation. He is 70 and has paid his wack into the system. Wonder if they will re-imburse his contribution? In this and many other ways, the country is going wacky. Happy days

The fat chap on the news the other night was being refused a hip operation. He is 70 and has paid his wack into the system. Wonder if they will re-imburse his contribution? In this and many other ways, the country is going wacky. Happy days