Michael Buerk: Let Obese people die early to save NHS money

[arista]

The Ex BBC Presenter Buerk
now says leave the British Obese
at home to Die
to save money.


[He says that those who are obese
may be making a "selfless sacrifice" to stop the country being overpopulated if they die earlier.]


https://e3.365dm.com/19/08/768x432/skynews-michael-buerk-broadcaster_4737745.jpg?bypass-service-worker&20190806120407
He is now 73 years old.


https://news.sky.com/story/michael-buerk-let-obese-people-die-early-to-save-nhs-money-11778620

[Ammi]

..I was literally just reading that on my newsfeed...you old psychic, Arista...

[Vicky.]

Tbh, obese people cost the NHS WAY less to begin with, given they die earlier than the rest of the population. Same with smokers.

Being 'healthy' and aging to 100 or something costs a ridiculous amount..given theres generally 24/7 care required by that point. Obese people and smokers are not the drain on the NHS that people think they are. Even if they get gastric bands or whatever..they still cost much much less than someone who lives a healthy life.

[bots]

he has an appropriate name

[Kazanne]

The Ex BBC Presenter Buerk
now says leave the British Obese
at home to Die
to save money.


[He says that those who are obese
may be making a "selfless sacrifice" to stop the country being overpopulated if they die earlier.]


https://e3.365dm.com/19/08/768x432/skynews-michael-buerk-broadcaster_4737745.jpg?bypass-service-worker&20190806120407
He is now 73 years old.


https://news.sky.com/story/michael-buerk-let-obese-people-die-early-to-save-nhs-money-11778620

I saw this debated on Jeremy Vine this morning, not sure what I think about it at the moment, obesity is a problem as is smoking, but it seems a bit cruel to just think they should not be helped and left to die.

[Kazanne]

he has an appropriate name

:laugh: I thought that at the time Bots.x

[chuff me dizzy]

Absolutely disgusting what next ........ Drinkers, smokers, druggies ,children with special needs ?

[Marsh.]

Tbh, obese people cost the NHS WAY less to begin with, given they die earlier than the rest of the population. Same with smokers.

Being 'healthy' and aging to 100 or something costs a ridiculous amount..given theres generally 24/7 care required by that point. Obese people and smokers are not the drain on the NHS that people think they are. Even if they get gastric bands or whatever..they still cost much much less than someone who lives a healthy life.

But, comparatively, you have someone who is not in hospital much of their life, paying taxes and then requiring NHS help later on in life.

Compared to someone who has health complications due to lifestyle choices in and out of hospital throughout their short time and not paying as much into the system in their shorter life but requiring a lot out of it.

I don't think one is the "drain" really it's more swings and roundabouts.

[Marsh.]

Absolutely disgusting what next ........ Drinkers, smokers, druggies ,children with special needs ?

How are children with special needs the same as drinkers, smokers, druggies and obese. You listed life choices, a child with special needs didn't inflict it on themselves.

Not that I agree anyone should be left without help to rot and die but pointing out the difference.

[Firewire]

I think the mental health around what makes people obese needs to be fixed before we give up on people.

No one (I would assume) is obese because they want to be.

[Vicky.]

But, comparatively, you have someone who is not in hospital much of their life, paying taxes and then requiring NHS help later on in life.

Compared to someone who has health complications due to lifestyle choices in and out of hospital throughout their short time and not paying as much into the system in their shorter life but requiring a lot out of it.

I don't think one is the "drain" really it's more swings and roundabouts.

Maybe. I would think a hell of a lot of obese people/smokers work too and pay in all their lives.

Also quite sure that even multiple operations..costs less than 24/7 care even for a few years, when in reality it can be up to..well indefinitely.

Might even itself out a bit. Yet people will still continue to believe that they cost a fortune. When its very possible they cost less, and if not, then its likely to be equal with others anyway.

Ideas gross though, of course.

[Niamh.]

I think the mental health around what makes people obese needs to be fixed before we give up on people.

No one (I would assume) is obese because they want to be.

Yeah very good point

[Marsh.]

Maybe. I would think a hell of a lot of obese people/smokers work too and pay in all their lives.

Also quite sure that even multiple operations..costs less than 24/7 care even for a few years, when in reality it can be up to..well indefinitely.

Might even itself out a bit. Yet people will still continue to believe that they cost a fortune. When its very possible they cost less, and if not, then its likely to be equal with others anyway.

Ideas gross though, of course.

Oh I wasn't suggesting obese people don't work. :laugh:

I was referring to the side of the argument regarding shorter life vs longer life. On one side you have a longer life of paying into the system and taking nothing out until the (relative) end. A healhy life can lead to a healthy old age where they only need assistance rather than always requiring round the clock care and the opposite of a much shorter life (therefore less years of paying in) and using much more of the resources in that shorter time.

The much older person has probably paid for their care in spades over that longer life but the shorter lived one probably not.

But, yeah, either way gross to just leave anyone to die and ai agree it's the causes of obesity and addiction etc that needs to be looked at.

[Ammi]

...obesity/eating disorders etc can be carried from childhood to adulthood...so he’s suggesting that it’s a child’s choice and a child’s weakness and a child’s responsibility...?...it’s very difficult for someone to change typical behaviour...so that’s where the NHS help is needed...

[bots]

The context seems to be saving the NHS some money, and I would suggest that there are many savings we could make before resorting to leaving people to die

[Marsh.]

Makes me laugh how he thinks the solution to overpopulation is for "fatties to sacrifice themselves".

That problem lies with poor education.

[Alf]

Who used to watch 999 back in the 90s?

[smudgie]

Oh dear.
That’s me done for then.

[arista]

Oh dear.
That’s me done for then.


No
He does not advise our Government at all.


Its his own Nasty View

[Twosugars]

Yeah maybe round them up and cast out of town like lepers in the middle ages? :facepalm:

Never thought he'd have such fascist ideas

[Kizzy]

It's a rather eugenicist argument there, he's opened a right can of worms. Bet he wishes he'd kept his fat mouth shut?...

[Mystic Mock]

He sounds like a politician with that comment.

I know not all politicians think this way, but a lot do and this buerk is sharing the views of the latter.

[Cherie]

I don't agree that you should let anyone die just to save money, but I do think we should take more personal responsibility for our health, by 2025 37 per cent of the UK will be obsese making it the fat capital of Europe followed closely by Ireland

https://www.indy100.com/article/these-are-the-10-fattest-countries-in-europe--byA0nZNvxZ

Type 2 diabetes is a hugh drain on the NHS and such a preventable disease if only people would consider their diets and take some exercise, going to duck now :laugh:

[bots]

I don't agree that you should let anyone die just to save money, but I do think we should take more personal responsibility for our health, by 2025 37 per cent of the UK will be obsese making it the fat capital of Europe followed closely by Ireland

https://www.indy100.com/article/these-are-the-10-fattest-countries-in-europe--byA0nZNvxZ

Type 2 diabetes is a hugh drain on the NHS and such a preventable disease if only people would consider their diets and take some exercise, going to duck now :laugh:

the whole point of the NHS is that it is non discriminatory .... that's all i'm going to say :laugh:

[Cherie]

the whole point of the NHS is that it is non discriminatory .... that's all i'm going to say :laugh:

yes I agree of course you cant discriminate, and people do have food addiction same as alcohol and cigs or drugs, but 37 per cent?....that is more down to over eating, a sedentary lifestyle and expecting to pop a pill to make it better.

Bit like the Mum who took the NHS to court over her overweight son, even though he had been to camp and all sorts previously

[Twosugars]

Theres a lot that can be done to help with obesity
Thinking of letting fat people die is immoral and lazy
Buerk is irresponsible making such a cruel suggestion.

[Cherie]

Theres a lot that can be done to help with obesity
Thinking of letting fat people die is immoral and lazy
Buerk is irresponsible making such a cruel suggestion.

I don't disagree, but its not like anyone is going to take a huge amount of notice of him is it, he is an ex BBC presenter, not the PM