The DUP thread

[AustinPowers]

"Layman's view on how to fix the issues, build more hospitals"
Has it occurred to anyone why we have an ever increasing sick population? Have we somehow created a system that incentivizes poor health, for as far as I can see most of this is self inflicted.
Also, how about tackling the systematic waste in the NHS. If something is "free", people can't help themselves but take the piss out of it.
I am for paying a bit less tax but paying for healthcare and medications as an when I need it.

Does not apply to all cases but a significant proportion.

A lot of Mr & Mrs (each 20 stone plus) about pushing a trolley around Tesco's stacked with all of shite of the day.  If not already they and their off spring are / will be clogging up the system now and in the future due to their 'lifestyle'.  It amazes me that in the so call deprived areas of places like Belfast / Derry you have no shortage of takeaways, off-licenses and pharmacists and usually all beside other.

Ah lads, that's a bit simplistic if you ask me. I'm not 20 stone, but I know I'm too heavy, have always struggled with weight and have managed to shift about 2 stone over the last year. But, I don't eat all the shite of the day and my kids eat the same diet I do with not one of them overweight. Yes there are some 'lifestyle' issues affecting the health, but the main issue is that people are living longer and the population is growing - and on the flip side services have been reduced due to prolonged lack of investment. Maybe if Bengoa had been implemented at the time we'd be in a better shape now, but I'm not sure about that.
When my local hospital regularly has 19hr A&E waits at this time of year, its not down to lifestyle patients, it's down to not enough capacity in the system to deal with acute spikes in seasonal illness.

Correct.  Inept politicians are to blame.

People can't get out of hospital as care packages can't be put in place - generally with older people. Which blocks beds.

This has been the talked about   for maybe 3 or 4 years now.  Nothing being done.  Inept politicians yet again

People can't get to see a consultant as waiting lists are so long, meaning early interventions are reduced, adding more pressure on beds as people who could have avoided getting seriously ill are becoming seriously ill or worse.

I don't know what the answer is to all this, but it feels to me that a complete reset is is needed. If you were to build a health service today from scratch, you'd build it to meet current and known future demand and with scope to scale up or down as needed.
So maybe what's needed is in the short term increase capacity, with the view of streamlining in the longer term.

[seafoid]

Lifestyle diseases may not be the main factor but they are certainly significant. 10s of billions per annum and I'd reckon a large proportion of those people in hospital or treatment for obesity or smoking/alcohol/drug related issues are contributing little to nothing in taxes.

Mortality rates are higher for working class people. Chronic disease is correlated with early death. Smokers die younger as well.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Smokers are paying a right bit of tax!

[LC]

Smokers are paying a right bit of tax!

I take a pint myself but I think alcohol should be taxed heavily at off licenses / supermarkets.  It is accessed far too easy.

How much less chaotic would A&Es be at the weekend and how much less pressure would the emergency services be under if drink was not as easily affordable especially those who live the working class (work shy) parts of the country.

I appreciate there is still the issue of drugs but if the drink was sorted it would be a starting point.

[AustinPowers]

Smokers are paying a right bit of tax!

True.

Are vapes taxed?

[Deerstalker]

Smokers are paying a right bit of tax!

True.

Are vapes taxed?

Depends where you get the cigarettes

[Orior]

The DUP abstained in a Westminster vote to re-join the EU customs market, lol.

[seafoid]

The DUP abstained in a Westminster vote to re-join the EU customs market, lol.

The North is in the customs union and the Single Market. The DUP gets the best of both worlds.

[Armagh18]

Smokers are paying a right bit of tax!

I take a pint myself but I think alcohol should be taxed heavily at off licenses / supermarkets.  It is accessed far too easy.

How much less chaotic would A&Es be at the weekend and how much less pressure would the emergency services be under if drink was not as easily affordable especially those who live the working class (work shy) parts of the country.

I appreciate there is still the issue of drugs but if the drink was sorted it would be a starting point.

An alcoholic will always get a drink, same as a junkie will always get his drugs. Proper addiction/mental health services are the answer, not making drink even more of a rip off than it already is!

[JoG2]

Smokers are paying a right bit of tax!

I take a pint myself but I think alcohol should be taxed heavily at off licenses / supermarkets.  It is accessed far too easy.

How much less chaotic would A&Es be at the weekend and how much less pressure would the emergency services be under if drink was not as easily affordable especially those who live the working class (work shy) parts of the country.

I appreciate there is still the issue of drugs but if the drink was sorted it would be a starting point.

The last 2 bottles of wine I bought in a supermarket in Spain in the summer (Rioja) were €1.75 and €1.95..btl here would be £12. You want it dearer again?

[Rossfan]

I see UUP leader Nesbitt stepping down (again!)

[Wildweasel74]

Easily affordable,dear enough these days. An alcholic still get drunk even if u put the price way up. I havent took a drink in 18months but what about the casual  drinker!

[JPGJOHNNYG]

I see NI will have the Ulster banner for the commonwealth games again. That Gordon Lyons moved swiftly to put the pressure on one day after Team NI said they would use their logo instead. Shame he didn't move so swiftly over Casement and sat on things for months and months. Unionism making a show of themselves over something so ridiculous. John Burrows claiming not using the flag is a sign of exclusion rather than inclusion (you couldn't make it up). Mick featly on the radio saying something similar FFS. Burrows confirming that he will be leading the UUP to a more traditional and less liberal stance.

It's all quite comical all the faux outrage etc etc except at they end of the day they get what they want. Bonfires in asbestos ridden areas, no problem, expensive ice bowl yep, compare to the likes of casement and A5 getting nowhere, Irish language getting blocked at every opportunity.

I wouldn't mind any of this shit if the country was doing well elsewhere but seeing as it is falling apart and there is no money for anything it's all a bit depressing

It makes you think what are SF actually doing? The SDLP would be no better either if they were in government and as for the middle ground well they are pretty much useless too. So good luck finding a party to vote for.

[lurganblue]

They finally won a fleg argument did they

[AustinPowers]

NI commonwealth committee  said they looked to Stormont for guidance on  what fleg to use

Why didn't they just  make a decision themselves? The hockey team flies a 4 province  flag if I remember correctly .  I assume they didn't need Stormont or  Dublin government  to help them make that decision .