to think not only Boris should take better care of the NHS

[Sackofspuds]

Whilst everyone right now is spouting love for the NHS should we not take time to consider how we might take better care of it by alleviating the burden? Eating better, taking exercise, reducing our alcohol consumption, not smoking? The next 8 weeks are a great time for looking carefully at what we eat, walking 10,000 steps, starting couch to 5k. (I am not a shining example! but I am trying). Yes the government should be taking better care of our NHS but that's not an excuse for us not to.

I'm overweight and drank too much (probably) and am in the throes of this virus. It has really made me reflect on my lifestyle choices and I wish I'd treated my body better a long time ago. I've started now (no alcohol anyway as ill) and will be cutting down on meat/increasing fish and veg meals and aiming to exercise more.

The big question is, once all this is over, who is able to stick to all the good intentions?

I was thinking the same earlier. We have been eating much healthier since this started forgets about chocolate biscuits added to Ocado order so we are going to carry on with that.

Totally op. About time a lot of people look very carefully at the consequences of their actions.

I wonder if any stats will come out about the types of things people have been visiting A&E for in the last month. I'd seen some "anecdata" on social media that its down for some of the more minor things so as pp mentioned, be interesting to see if that continues post lockdown.

I’m really grateful for this post. I’m a doctor and I’m honestly fed up of all the faux self congratulatory smugness the general public is doing with clapping for nhs, after years of abusing it.

What most HCPs would really want, and what the NHS needs to survive, is people to look after their mental and physical health more, take more self responsibility, and stop abusing it because it’s free.

I’ve been saying on here for years (name changed recently) that the Nhs is in the state that it’s in because the public take the piss, not just because of politics - but it’s just usually met with Tory bashing. It’s not just the politicians, we all need to treat it better if it’s going to survive.

@TooLittleTooLate80 if you’re interested in my ‘anecdata’ as a GP - we are the calm before the storm currently (I work rurally so the covid wave not hit us yet). I’d say we are significantly down on a lot of ‘time wasting’ stuff, but I have seen a HUGE increase in mental health problems - loads of anxiety since the lock down. Unfortunately still have a significant amount of the public kicking off/demanding non important stuff that we just cannot do at the moment as all hospital services suspended- so some people just will never get that their minor ailment isn’t that important in the scheme of things.

Vinoelle. Maybe we should be apologising to the NHS rather than thanking them. For my part I am sorry for taking you for granted and not taking better care of myself. Thank you as well. I am so sad of the burden NHS workers are carrying right now. X

I’d have thought now was a really difficult time to start walking 10000 steps - we are all trying to stay in as much as possible. Diet, though, and habits with online exercise, yes.

1 man ran a marathon in his back garden! Extreme admittedly but would have thought most people could walk 10 000 easily enough if they got up early enough. Know I am fortunate to live in a less populated area. Know it must be a nightmare For those in city centres :(

@Sackofspuds That’s nice of you, and I appreciate the thread.
I think it’s a really funny how it’s had hardly any posts - because people don’t want to take responsibility for themselves or their health. They like just blaming other people because it’s easier.

I think you are right in many ways OP. I’ve said this on other threads but I think there has been a lot of focus on our individual rights and entitlements (often mixed up with what people want or feel is “due” to them) and not a lot of focus on our individual and collective responsibilities.

Of course, the NHS has it’s failings and perhaps there are other or better ways to run a healthcare service (though I think the NHS does reasonably well with the resources it has). As someone who works on NHS frontline I wish politicians of all hues would stopping making promises to the electorate that cannot be met within current resources, and also deliver on the resources they promise (or admit that they can’t), rather than blame the NHS staff.

Jeremy Hunt’s recent treatment of junior doctors contract negotiations being a case in point. The media and many people jumped on that bandwagon- lazy/arrogant/champagne-swilling and overpaid yet underworked junior Dr’s seeking to swindle the NHS and line their pockets/not be at work when they should etc. Yet now when the population needs them, they are more than happy to entrust their health and lives to those same people, happy for them to put their lives on the line. And Now they’re hero’s!

And when this is all over? All forgotten, back to normal. And I know this is true of many people, not just ASR’s- both in and outside of the NHS and many other public services.

Sorry to derail OP, but vinoelle do you know if b12 injections are still going ahead at your surgery?

OP, you’re right, of course. The number of people outraged that a BMI of 40+, morbidly obese, means they’re at additional risk from Coronavirus but didn’t seem to realise being morbidly obese put you at considerable risk anyway have been shocking.

@jacks11 I completely agree.
Actually today I’ve noticed that most of the good will and staying away the public had over the last fortnight is beginning to vanish and people are starting to be rude/demanding etc about routine care

@anne if established treatment (is not brand new diagnosis) then no they are suspended - this is national guidance. I know a lot of patients are upset about this - but this is the entire point re some sacrifices are needing to be made. It’s just no one wants to be the one to personally do it.

A bit of virtue signalling mixed in with health/fat shaming. I'm looking forward to more MN goady bingo!

MouthBreathingRage I'm missing your point. AIBU or not? Maybe a clearer intellectual argument would help me to see your standpoint?