Should the NHS treat Obese patients or smokers

allnurses Guide · Jun 12, 2007

I don't think the OP was bashing smokers or overweight she was asking our opinions about a hypothetical situation where lifestyle choices affected what healthcare is received.

Belinda-wales, RN · Jun 12, 2007

I was not on about the op- I was talking about the british public!

english_nurse · Jun 12, 2007

just a bit of debate, we know its nothing personal, i am just explaining what has happened to me and what i think about an issue which effects me.

At the moment there is alot in the press about discrimination against minority groups, it just gets my goat that if someone of one of those minorities calls me a fat bi**h thats fine/funny, but if i call him something back that refers to his colour i go to jail etc......

english_nurse · Jun 12, 2007

me too bel i meant the public

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 12, 2007

it does amaze me that people are happy to name call but depending on what you say depends on punishment. I know I was walking through town today and saw a lot more obese people especially younger than what I can remember 10-15 years ago and this from someone who has been overweight since the age of 10

the OP has asked a valid ethic question and has opened a good debate

english_nurse · Jun 12, 2007

has anyone been watching big brother? for example that girl removed for using the N word? but them all bitching about the welsh girl and that older lady for being fat? that says it all for me

:)

the debate on this thread is good, and to me very interesting

karenG · Jun 13, 2007

I too am the f word.. clinically obsee with a bp of 90/50 and a resting pulse of 50. so I'm quite fit.. if fat!!

yes.. i think that smokers and obese people are easy targets.. so its easy to say.. oh lets not treat you... but there are other considerations. obesity may be a lifestyle choice for some but for others its something that happened and they would love not to be fat.. but they cant afford weight watchers or the equivelent.. and healthy food is expensive. and if you are very obese then exercise is difficult.. so what do you do??

as has been said.. one of the biggest problems is the illegals we see- or people who should pay for health care but dont... its a huge huge drain on money. another drain is the cost of hiriing interpreters... cost us £150 an hour... I can understand that if you are new here, then it takes a while to learn the basics.. but some people have been here all their lives and dont speak one word. we have a community locally where the women are not allowed to learn english... they spend their lives inside a controlled enviroment. sigh. so what do you do????

but its not pc to attack people for race/ethnicity or to suggest that people here learn to commicate with each other. its much easier to attack people who are fat or smoke!!

hmm get off the soap box now............

Karen

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2007

I aggree this is a good healthy debate one which hopefully help the OP write her paper. When I did my dissertation for my degree I did it on Student RN midwives versus Student Midwives, it was a hot topic because the general feeling is that RN's should no longer be trained to be MIdwives and we should just have direct entry Midwives. It wasn't a popular dissertation!!!

RGN1 · Jun 15, 2007

I said this would be a "hot" topic from the start and I've not been proved wrong!

Like MW I think that we have all given the OP plenty of fuel for her topic!!

PixieThunder · Jun 20, 2007

Thanks everyone, the opinions that have been given are great, and have helped loads. I doubt there will ever be a clear cut right and wrong to this debate....suppose thats why its a debate! The NHS, as with the the rest of this country, appear to be heading down the road of destruction in terms of political correctness going mad.

It may be that the NHS chooses not to treat such patients as those mentioned above, because they are not seen as contributing to there own well being, and bring on circumstances themselves and not seen as in need of NHS help as much as illegal immigrants or those on the 'minority' list that would possibly harm the reputation of the organisation if refused operations or treatment. I really dont know. Sometimes I dont even know where my own heart lies in such a sensitive subject! It feels that we are in a world that we can poke fun at (or refuse operations) to those who apparently 'choose' to be in a situation(smokers and the obese), but cannot touch those who are deemed to be in a situation due to religon, race, sexuality, political circumstances or the such like....surely the same rules should apply to all?

irishnurse67 · Nov 17, 2007

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.

Gee, I'm about as right-wing Republican as you can get, and even I think it's very harsh to withdraw medical care to obese people and smokers! Yes, I think people w/high risk behaviors should pay more for health insurance like they would w/any other insurance-life, auto, etc. But to give no care? Sounds barbaric. I do admit that I don't know why I have the same deduction from my check for BC/BS as those who smoke and are obese.

english_nurse · Nov 17, 2007

nice to see this thread re-woken

i enjoyed it