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?