Who is Responsible for Our Health, Nhs or Us?
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Well of course the answer is probably both but I find in my old age that I am becoming far more intolerant of those who expect to be cared for from cradle to grave without contributing to their own welfare.
Those who cannot look after themselves (physically, mentally, educationally challenged) need to be cared for but what about those who can help themselves but don't?
If a person is a glutton, drunk, drug addict or 'allergic' to working for a living, why should they expect everyone else to support them through life?
There are so many preventable ailments and if people took care of their own health the nhs wouldn't be in such dire straits.
I guess this topic will make people mad at me but more and more the state of, not just this country but the world too, is getting me down and I am glad I won't be around to see how we will all end up.
You know what gets to me these drunks or drug addicts they always say they have had a hard life and that's why they turn to it sorry but no I don't buy that excuse everyone at some point in there life's has had something bad happen but yet we all don't end up like these
Leannexxx yes very true. Just in my family, friends and even acquaintances nearly all have been through extremely tough times that could make anyone feel sorry for themselves.
We encourage people to dwell on their problems these days rather than in the words of the song 'pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again'.
So many feel hard done by rather than thinking that even their worst times can be even worse for others.
Sometimes when people are very low emotionally they make bad choices and are irrational.
Pjran true but that doesn't apply to the majority. I personally know of many upbeat, happy people with no real problems who drink and eat too much and then pop pills to try and keep the self induced illnesses at bay. (Burdening the nhs). It is surely more conducive to your happiness and well being to keep yourself as healthy as you are able.
boepeep one is a good friend happy in a new relationship and no longer strapped for cash, she has diabetes 2 and is on maximum drugs for it as she will not cut down on sweets, chocolate, desserts, cakes, crisps etc. People should take responsibility. Her treatment, drugs and checks contribute to the crippling expense of running the nhs.
Anyway, happy or not, everyone should do what they can to keep healthy rather than become a burden. Ill health will make you even more unhappy.
Lynibis We are definitely responsible in keeping ourselves healthy and for as long as possible. I think a lot has to do with people's mental health. Some don't have the mentality to brush things off and just get on with it - which leads to substance/food abuse to cope. You could be in a new relationship, have no financial worries, doesn't change what's going on in one's mind and we should all be vigilant of that.
boepeep I do definitely agree with you and I personally know how difficult it can be. I have thyroid complaint and high blood pressure nothing I can do about it. However I have gone right down to excellent range with my diabetes 2 and I am not a particularly happy person, lol. Took willpower and dedication.
I don't think that people put a high enough value on 'good health'. Everyone has the same opportunity to think, and do something, about taking care of themselves rather than leaving it to the NHS to pick up the pieces. We should all think more about preventing illnesses rather than dealing with medical problems when they arise along with the associated costs whether they be physical, mental, emotional or financial. Most people can do gentle exercise, even just walking (little and often?) helps.
You know what they say - Seven days without exercise make one weak!
tumblespots yes, and I am definitely not speaking of illnesses we are unable to avoid, that is fate, good or bad or hereditary. I am sure most commenters have grasped what I am trying to say and I feel you often understand where I am coming from as we seem to be like minded on a few issues.
Lynibis Absolutely. I think we may be about the same age and therefore were probably brought up with similar morals and ethics. 
Addiction is an illness, the same as any other medical problem. A disabled person who is on benefit, why do they get and not someone who has addiction. your first statement is wrong I would do away with welfare state for all, you can’t pick and choose.
Antiwoke A disabled person was either born with it or unfortunately came to have it at some point in their lifetime, meanwhile a person with an addiction did it with their own consent.
Comparing a drunk, junkie, gambler, thief, etc to a disabled person is just an unbalanced comparison and unfair.
PhilipMarc not at all addiction is a medical issue, that person who had a legal drink might not of known they would become addicted. you can't see mental health are you saying that it doesn't exist? addiction comes under that. you could say someone with mental should just get on with it is that fair they are born that way the same as a disabled person.
if you are going to help someone who has never contributed eg disabled but choose not to help someone with addiction what might have paid into the system for years and is more entitled..
do away with all of it or help everyone, you cant pick and choose..
@lynibisWe are definently responsible for our own health.
I totally agree with you that for some reason we are encouraged to constantly look at what we don't have and the difficult periods we we went through and dwell on it too much.
The idea that we are owed happiness and look for it in all things that are not good for us is another telling sign of excessive entitlement in our society.
Any idea of discipline,patience and gratitude is a long lost trait that needs to be revived.
sam07 yes, society as a whole has a lot to answer for and being brought up in recent decades many just take for granted all the readily available things we have that are bad for us. I grew up in a time when children ate what was put in front of them and it was very rarely the junk they eat now. Sweets were a Friday night treat when dad got paid and we walked to school and played outside
I'm a glutton for sure and it could be or is a factor in my overall health. On the other hand I haven't smoked, rarely drink, don't do drugs and do actually regularly exercise a fair bit. I'm not sure where I would be on the gauge of how good I look after my own health, maybe mid-way and if I wasn't over-weight probably very high. I eat some very healthy salads regularly and do fast a fair bit probably at least once a week I eat very lightly/fast for probably 20-22 hrs in the day with a 2 hour eating window of mainly light soups and a carrot or two. Other days I pig out though.
When it comes to unemployment a huge section of the British economy has been wiped out since joining the EU and allowing pretty much wholesale access to the UK economy for Chinese manufacturers. Those who have been long term unemployed because of lack of jobs in that sector may get to adjust their thinking over time and just see that as the norm. The destruction of the British economy is not just incompetent politicians but the actions of the general population too, happy to import a huge amount of goods and creating huge levels of debt for the economy and destruction of industries. As the debts mount up, benefits will be reduced and we will have much greater poverty and levels of crime. So for those who want to see the unemployed get less benefits I'm sure that will happen, it will be forced on the government to make that decision possibly by the IMF as part of their
bailout package when it comes.
BonzoBanana it sounds as if you strike a happy medium. Your eating habits are pretty similar to mine. I quite often eat just one meal around 6pm but weekends I do have the odd treat.
Who's responsible for our health? We are. Our bodies, our health.
The NHS was pretty disrespectful and abusive about a year ago when they kept sending me letters to go get a certain shot and at some point they should have realized I did not want it. It's not their decision for people to take it.
I used to have huge respect for the NHS and thought they were superb, but ever since the 2020 'health crisis' all that changed and we've seen them changing for the worse. Others (e.g. CDC) around the world were no different, either.
Clap for them, why don't ya.
Antiwoke Of course he will - possibly like MANY other anti-vaxers whose last words to the disrespectful people who'd tried to prevent their lives being shortened. "I wish I'd had the jab".
Those words, or similar, are reported to be the last words spoken before many Covid victims are put into an induced coma that many of them will never be leaving.
Some will, after extreme effort and care by those they earlier decried, change their minds,www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/i-wish-id-vaccine-woman-22226828
There has been alot of talk about drugs and alcohol addiction but not obesity, which is a huge drain on NHS resources with over two thirds of the population over weight and the problem is increasing.
We should all take responsibility for our own health, the NHS should be the safety net for when things go wrong.
Lets cut out the middle management and diversity jobs paying over £100,000 while nurses get small amount.
The NHS and private care companies are screaming out for staff. One problem is nurses can earn more as an agency nurse than they can working directly for the NHS - if you could do exactly the same job but for more money what would you do. I think the salaries of the ‘fat cats’ that sit behind their desks and never get their hands dirty should be more visable - it is the NATIONAL health service after all. I would have been dead many times over if it wasn’t for the NHS I would say about 98% of the medical staff I deal with are wonderful. They go above and beyond the call of duty. Every addition is an illness - it’s what makes you take that first step towards that particular addiction that makes the difference. Cigarettes and alcohol are both completely legal and cost the NHS a fortune so every penny in tax on those two alone should go straight to the NHS. but maybe this country needs to start with the younger people- I know of plenty 12 year olds that think nothing of smoking weed. They get caught - they get taken home to their parents. If we were more harsh on these addictions before the people get addicted- prison, community service , huge fines for them and the parents to pay together etc etc - it may help nip some of it in the bud.
I know I have cost the NHS hundreds of thousands on my second time round with cancer and I will always be eternally grateful that we have it.
We still have medical tourists that come here for our NHS - there is supposed to be a reciprocal agreement with certain countries but I really don’t know how well that works.
If you knew your child was drinking or smoking weed - ie: on the path to addiction what would or could you do ?
I always look for the silver lining - being so physically disabled means a get a car, with recovery service. Because I can hardly walk - and that’s with crutches means I get bigger spaces to park in. Look on the bright side of life - I never feel sorry for myself - I laugh with my mates - if you are feeling low come to my house and watch me walk two or three steps from behind- it’s guaranteed to make you laugh. Get on with what you have and appreciate everything.
I totally agree with you Lynibis and you are entitled your opinion. People are always looking for someone else to blame and help them.
eyeballkerry thank you. I chose nhs as an example but this behaviour runs through the whole of society. Here is another example: As many know, I am a PA for social services transport ferrying children to and from parental contact and school. We deal with very many schools for disabled children up to age 19 (both mentally and physically). This in itself costs a fortune but many of these children are physically able, can understand and converse and have no problem getting on and off transport, but their parents get this privilege free of charge. This applies to all classes and one couple spring to mind (but not an isolated example). They have a thriving business, live in a top end house and there are always 3 cars on the drive. They continued getting this service during Covid as they said they're an essential service. However, when things went back to normal their other child let slip that parents were back to work next day meaning they had been getting this transport under false pretences.
Why could they not take their own child to school while not at work? Even when working one or both of them are home at pick up and drop off so could still do own transport as millions of other parents have to throughout the country. I expect they get a disability living car also despite not needing it.
This country is full of 'I am entitled so I will have it' people and it makes me cross when those in real need go without.
The NHS as I do not like the idea of deserving ill or deserving poor, unless I decide who is deserving.
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