Hi All....I have a discussion group coming up and one our subjects is:
Should obese adults or individuals who smoke have healthcare withdrawn until they redress their lifestyle choice?
I have lots of my own opinions and have researched this thoroughly on the net, I just thought I would post it on here and see what others thoughts were, as in britain they're so many initiatives and programs in place for healthier lifestyles etc, but if people dont start taking these on board is it acceptable to expect the NHS to pick up the bill?
Anyway, hope u guys have some good opinions about this.
Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.
i also have to add that being obese/ overweight seems to make you a real target these days, more so than ever due to stories about obesity being a big strain on the nhs, infact its almost the only thing that people can poke fun at in public and it be acceptable whereas a racist comment would get you put in prison...
the amount of times i have been insulted in the street over the last few months has risen dramatically, and its not always stupid kids, adults are as bad, supermarket trips or eating out are becoming a real nightmare as they are the places these things usually happen, of topic i know but as an overweight person i just felt i had to comment on this....
I wish people didn't behave like that!! I always have and always will treat people as individuals in their own right no matter how fat, thin, short, tall, what their skin colour is or what religion they are etc etc.
Mind you that comes from a Mum whose 9 yr old can be relied on to say in the loudest possible voice "look at that stupid man/woman smoking don't they realise they're killing themselves!?" when anyone lights up in a restaurant when we're eating out!!! Roll on July 1st, it will spare my blushes big time!!
Of course I'm proud he's got the anti smoking message but I wish his voice was just a little quieter.
Not to spark a debate here (and not really looking to get flamed) but why is it perfectly acceptable to be rude to smokers, make loud comments and point them out but its no ok to do it to an obese person? Not all obese people are obese due to a medical condition. Some have have just become that way due to their choices. I understand that second hand smoke affects all around it but I've witnessed people being "bashed" just for buying a pack of cigarettes. The comments behind the person were loud and uncalled for. And yes, I have even heard an severely obese woman reading a smoker a riot act about smoking and how bad it is for the body.
Smokers are forever being told to quit but when it comes down to giving them assistance (smoke cessatoin meds, etc) the insurance companies won't pay a cent for it but surgeries and meds for obese are paid for. Makes no sense to me at all.
Yes, I DID smoke. No I was never obese, but my daughter was. I just don't see its ok to insult, point out are be rude to anyone.
This is a UK thread & the NHS does run smoking cessation clinics etc for free plus you can get Nicotine replacement therapies & a new pill - name escapes me at the mo - on an NHS prescription (which is free to those on welfare, under 16 or over 60).
The loud comments were from a child which I think is not the same thing as if it were an adult. Except to say that an overweight person can't ruin my meal or my health by eating next to me in the same way that a smoker can. Therefore, I think asking a smoker not to light up next to me is acceptable whereas asking a large person not to eat is simply not acceptable!
This is a UK thread & the NHS does run smoking cessation clinics etc for free plus you can get Nicotine replacement therapies & a new pill - name escapes me at the mo - on an NHS prescription (which is free to those on welfare, under 16 or over 60).
The loud comments were from a child which I think is not the same thing as if it were an adult. Except to say that an overweight person can't ruin my meal or my health by eating next to me in the same way that a smoker can. Therefore, I think asking a smoker not to light up next to me is acceptable whereas asking a large person not to eat is simply not acceptable!
Sorry, didn't notice the UK thread, I apologize. Didn't mean to spark a debate over smoking. Just asking a question.
I do understand that the othe poster was talking about a child making the comment. I was referring to the adults that make rude comments etc.
Luckily here in Connecticut USA (as do many of the States) WE do have laws that prohibit smoking in public resturants, bars etc. So no one HAS to sit next to a smoker while eating, drinking etc.
The new Pill we have here in Chantix. Thats what I used to quit. But it ran me over $125 a month for it. No insurance that I know of ever pays for anything related to smoke cessation Luckily for those in the UK your sytstem does pay for it. Kudos to you for that. Maybe the US will take notice and do the same.
Specializes in midwifery, gen surgical, community.
We have a NATIONAL health service. It is not 'if your obese/smoker/dangerous sport enthuiast/alcohol drinker we cannot treat you service.'
What next - if you where injured as a soldier in Iraq we will not treat you because you went over there?
What should also upset us is the fact that Scotland and Wales get treatments by the NHS that England does not. We all pay the same tax, so we should get the same treatment.
I do however, believe that people who are not entitled to nhs care should be made to pay for it (excepting emergency treatment). We do not have the funds to treat everyone.
EN-Iwont flame you I think the biggest drain on the NHS is the illegals, and has been for years. When I was a midwife I looked after a lot of 'illegals' having one baby after the next and nearly all of them had difficult labours and births, costing thousands and thousands of pounds. Now I can only imagine that now we are part of the bigger 'Europe" we must have a bigger influx of people needing treatment on the NHS. But you cant stop giving medical treatment to people regardless of where they come from. What our government should be doing is finding a way to control it. When my mother was dying she was in the ER of a large Manchester Teaching hospital which was inudated with immigrants from India, Pakistan and other areas of Asia. When I asked what was going on I was told these people dont have GP's so they come to the Er to be treated for common ailments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How big a drain is that on hopsital resourses.
Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.
Not to spark a debate here (and not really looking to get flamed) but why is it perfectly acceptable to be rude to smokers, make loud comments and point them out but its no ok to do it to an obese person? Not all obese people are obese due to a medical condition. Some have have just become that way due to their choices. I understand that second hand smoke affects all around it but I've witnessed people being "bashed" just for buying a pack of cigarettes. The comments behind the person were loud and uncalled for. And yes, I have even heard an severely obese woman reading a smoker a riot act about smoking and how bad it is for the body.
Smokers are forever being told to quit but when it comes down to giving them assistance (smoke cessatoin meds, etc) the insurance companies won't pay a cent for it but surgeries and meds for obese are paid for. Makes no sense to me at all.
Yes, I DID smoke. No I was never obese, but my daughter was. I just don't see its ok to insult, point out are be rude to anyone.
i didnt say it was ok however my obesity doesnt effect the health of people around me, and i do live with a smoker
there are two rules i our house we dont mention the f word
Specializes in renal,peritoneal dialysis, medicine.
EN-Iwont flame you I think the biggest drain on the NHS is the illegals, and has been for years. When I was a midwife I looked after a lot of 'illegals' having one baby after the next and nearly all of them had difficult labours and births, costing thousands and thousands of pounds. Now I can only imagine that now we are part of the bigger 'Europe" we must have a bigger influx of people needing treatment on the NHS. But you cant stop giving medical treatment to people regardless of where they come from. What our government should be doing is finding a way to control it. When my mother was dying she was in the ER of a large Manchester Teaching hospital which was inudated with immigrants from India, Pakistan and other areas of Asia. When I asked what was going on I was told these people dont have GP's so they come to the Er to be treated for common ailments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How big a drain is that on hopsital resourses.
basically the service suffers from misuse by all sorts of people including managers and government
Same old same old- lets bash the fat people cos after all they arn't real people are they! They are bound to be thick and lazy cos they are fat! Call britan a caring society I think not. By the way the government don't care what your size shape colour or life style is when you are paying your NI!
Luckily for those in the UK your sytstem does pay for it. Kudos to you for that. Maybe the US will take notice and do the same.
english_nurse
1,146 Posts
i also have to add that being obese/ overweight seems to make you a real target these days, more so than ever due to stories about obesity being a big strain on the nhs, infact its almost the only thing that people can poke fun at in public and it be acceptable whereas a racist comment would get you put in prison...
the amount of times i have been insulted in the street over the last few months has risen dramatically, and its not always stupid kids, adults are as bad, supermarket trips or eating out are becoming a real nightmare as they are the places these things usually happen, of topic i know but as an overweight person i just felt i had to comment on this....