One we have Prohibition, what's next?

[Sysman]

When I read the story on drinking 'crippling the NHS', I went and checked the figures.
Estimated cost of drinking - £2.7 billion
Tax revenue from alcohol - £13.4 billion (figures from 2005/6)

Crippling? Bollox.

Well I always said that the fox hunting ban was the thin end of the wedge.

Control freaks, the lot of 'em.

[RichardCranium]

Radio 4's More or Less strikes again by analysing the numbers behind a news story.

The claim that the cost to the NHS of treating alcohol-related stuff has doubled in five years was simply not true.

They included more stuff in the more recent estimate and did not include inflation. It has actually gone up by 2 or 3%, not 100%.

It has remained about the same proportion of the overall NHS budget across those five years.

So, more fiddling with the figures to make a political point that is contrary to the truth.

[ratewhore]

Control freaks, the lot of 'em.

Define ''em'...

[sasguru]

I agree that everyone who ends up in hospital due to excess consumption of alcohol should pay for their treatment. Other than that you should be free to drink as much you want. The NHS is meant to be a safety net of universal health care NOT a universal panacea for bad behaviour.
It seems most of you are more concerned with your rights than your responsibilities. It's why the country has gone to crap.

[Troll]

I agree that everyone who ends up in hospital due to excess consumption of alcohol should pay for their treatment. Other than that you should be free to drink as much you want. The NHS is meant to be a safety net of universal health care NOT a universal panacea for bad behaviour.
It seems most of you are more concerned with your rights than your responsibilities. It's why the country has gone to crap.

agreed ... and inexperienced bikers should have to pay dearly for treatment once the inevitable happens

[stek]

agreed ... and inexperienced bikers should have to pay dearly for treatment once the inevitable happens

As should those doing 71mph on the motorway....

[HairyArsedBloke]

So, more fiddling with the figures to make a political point that is contrary to the truth.

I am shocked, shocked to hear that.

[ratewhore]

As should those doing 71mph on the motorway....

Fook it - lets make the NHS pay as you go...

[Troll]

Was talking to a NHS Consultant friend t'other day - he and his colleagues gave the NHS 5 years max - mainly due to the amount of immigrants presenting themselves with untreated congenital defects i.e. birth defects not actioned in the country of birth, but now being presented for rectification on the NHS by all these new citizens.

...suppose it's only fair

[sasguru]

agreed ... and inexperienced bikers should have to pay dearly for treatment once the inevitable happens

I am an experienced, albeit rusty, biker who will take every care to avoid an accident.
Slightly different from the 18 year olds who need to have their stomach pumped because they were stupid enough to drink over their personal tolerance.

HTH