10% of NHS budget is spent on t2 diabetes vast majority is self inflicted, aibu to think they should contribute?

[Lauranda]

Its estimated that the cost will go up 17% by 2020. Something needs to change or the NHS will collapse.

Maybe make people that are overweight pay something towards their treatment would in courage people to eat better and exercise more.

I'd give you a biscuit, but perhaps I shouldn't...

Most patients in hospital are aged. Self-inflicted of course, how dare they live so long. OP you're a loon....I mean alone, alone in your opinion.

About the only way I can think of to do this would be to tax sweetened foodstuffs at a crazy price rate, in the same way as tobacco. But that would no doubt open a massive other can of worms (as well as drive the food industry conglomerates into a frenzy ).

On second thoughts - let's do it! I love a bit of Nestle etc baiting!

What a ludicrous ill - thought out OP.

I wonder about some people's ability to formulate rational thought processes - not to mention their social conscience.

I seem to remember that the OP works in care.

That makes her argument even more dispiriting.

whenshewasbad overweight smokers will pay double, they may be worth keeping around. Then if they were to drink now and then too? Possibilities are endless!

Can I just say, I'm so heartened to find loads of MNers shouting this down for the lousy idea it is? I love Mumsnet.

Being overweight isn't just caused by eating too much an not enough exercise. Some is caused by medical issues such as thyroid problems and some people can't exercise use to arthritis etc.

YABU, my best friend since school was type 2 diabetic and has always been very thin. You can't charge medical costs purely for being overweight / smoker / alcoholic / drug addict etc.

80% of your weight is down to genetics.

There is a massive genetic component to insulin resistance and T2DM.

(By the way, I am a diabetologist who has done research in this area.)

HighwayDragon

I always wonder whether this sort of thread is a political party testing the waters...

I'm not overweight, but have T2 diabetes as a result of developing PCOS. I'm very careful about what I eat and have excellent results at every diabetes appointment, so not sure what else I could do!

Hey, this'll piss you off OP, I'm not even contributing to the NHS! I'm a carer for my disabled husband and mentally ill daughter, so am on benefits. Ner ner.

My dad has to pay for his diabetes medication.

Not sure what you mean op.

I don't know about T2 diabetics specifically but for many complex and interlinked reasons, obesity and poverty are correlated - so you would be penalising the poorest again.

Correction its 17% in 2034. On hold waiting to go on lbc

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid
"But there's a good chance smokers and the overweight will die younger - therefore saving us money due to reduced pension costs."

This^^

YABU OP. I smoke so don't see me making 100 hope not. Plus I've paid thousands in tax on my ciggies - so have more than paid my share.

I promise you op you will embarrass yourself and all who know you if you bleat this idea out loud in public!

Don't do it!

How about people who live so long they get dementia. They should pay for it all, too. Oh, wait . . .

My dd2 has type 1 diabetes, she developed it a month after her third birthday. Diabetes is not self inflicted (type 1 or type 2).

Currently we have a limit on blood glucose test strips a month and we also have to fund her continuous glucose monitor ourselves so the nhs do not just give out everything we need for free in order to meet her needs.
We have had to wait a long time to get her an insulin pump which she will start on in June.

YABU

I'm obese. I'm also attending an eating disorder group.

I'd rather they funded better understanding of the psychological side of it all and better treatment for obesity related mental health myself.

Ubik1 is that in the UK?

He should be exempt.

Op- you are not only unreasonable but ignorant. Do you think that Diabetics get it because of too much cake?

It has genetic links too. My DH has it and both his parents have it. he stood very little Chance of not getting it.

His monthly prescriptions are free thankfully or he would have possibly died by now.

Lots of people eat poor diets and don't get Diabetes, and lots of people at good diets and do get Diabetes.

You are not only unreasonable but callous and badly informed.

"I'm not even contributing to the NHS! I'm a carer for my disabled husband and mentally ill daughter, so am on benefits. Ner ner."

I'd say you definitely are contributing by being a caree for two people! If you werent then that would be two NHS staff (at least) who would have to provide that care at cost to the tax payer.

What is your source for these statistics OP?

Another question you should be asking is if the NHS are so concerned with this. Why are they and the Government still sending out healthy eating messages which are outdated, wrong and designed purely to line the pockets of 'low fat' food manufacturers.

OP, you have a couple of "interesting" threads running today.

Are you quite alright?