Benefits and Bypasses.

I think we have to live and let live - the information is out there, but not everyone takes note of it - or is able to.

We cannot start a hierarchy of worthiness to receive the benefits of the NHS - how would you do it? Idiots who climb mountains - do they qualify? People who ride motorbikes? People who sail? ...............

I am enjoying the TV programme "GPs Behind Closed Doors" - they approach each patient thoughtfully and respectfully even when their lifestyles fall short of the ideal.

JessM's point is of course well made.

Easy to view these illnesses as self inflicted or as "addictions" or "illnesses".
That is focussing on the individual, whether they are seen as self-indulgent or sick.
Or we can take a step back and look at the part played by:

Tobacco companies
Companies that make and sell alcohol
Advertising and marketing of "junk food"
Social pressures from others "everyone is doing it"
or even the education system that does not equip individuals to make better choices.

The really difficult thing is to see what can be done about it.

Many people do not learn from their mistakes. It has always been thus. There will always be some who will be reliant on whatever state provision there is.

But it's never that simple is it? I wish people could live healthier lives and believe there is much that could be done at a macro and micro level to facilitate this but in the meantime, I'm just glad I live in a country with a health care system where access is mainly based on need self inflicted or otherwise . Of all the things that piss me ff, this is so not on my list

No I wouidn't, but I would be well p'd off if they didn't learn from their mistake and grab their second chance with both hands and make the necessary life style changes to improve their situation. There only appeared to be one chap on last night's programme who was trying to help himself.

Suffer

Ok - stupid idiot mountaineer falls off mountain, squash player has eye injury, rugby player breaks neck ..... all chose to get involved in these activities.....
And back to your original examples, would you just leave them to sfter and die?

The thread GrannyT or the effect on the NHS???

This will not end well ....