Stop blaming the elderly for NHS problems

In his article last week, Frank Field appeared to blame the woes of the mainly on an ‘ageing population’. But there are two issues he fails to address.

First of all, older people are the ones who have paid their taxes and should expect the NHS to be there for them. Secondly, Mr Field was in the Labour Government which opened our borders to all and sundry without any thought for how housing, schools and the NHS were expected to cope. He is like a lot of politicians – they have ‘milked’ the elderly and now appear to want to get rid of us, as if we are a nuisance.

Well, we have a vote and most elderly use it, so watch out.

Win Chamberlain, Belper, Derbyshire

We all accept that the NHS needs lots of cash and a heap of TLC, but yet again the elderly are getting the blame. What about teenagers who want parts of their bodies altered and then two years later demand the op reversed on the NHS? What about all the people who are obese because they stuff themselves with food? I also have to mention the people from all over the world and at home who have never paid a penny into the system but who are allowed to plunder it.

Wake up people and stop blaming everyone but yourselves.

Julie Camden-Field, Bexhill

Apparently, 30 per cent of people attending A&E are there with injuries or illnesses that should be treated at walk-in centres, via the NHS’s 111 helpline, or through advice from a pharmacist or going to see a trusty old GP. It is not rocket science to suggest that if A&E departments had 30 per cent fewer patients to treat, the situation would be much, much better, and it would be easy enough for staff to cope.

More than 80 per cent of Friday night and Saturday night patients are there for drink or drug-related matters. So when are we going to start charging them for wasting NHS resources with their self-inflicted ‘injuries’?

Philip Munro, Manchester

I tried to see a GP at my local surgery but was told the earliest appointment was 13 days ahead. What on earth is the use of that? Someone has lost the plot.

C. Smith, Hampshire

There should be a tick sheet on the back of lottery forms on which people can indicate where they would like the profit from their ticket to go. NHS hospitals could be listed, plus a list of deserving charities.

Harry Kay, Leeds

Crisis in the NHS? What does this Government expect? A reduction in beds, a reduction in hospitals, a reduction in A&E facilities and then an increase in population through immigration. Anyone with a modicum of sense would realise that if you reduce resources and increase the users, you create a problem.

J. Moffatt, Stockport

The NHS is under great pressure. The reason is obvious – there are too many people in our country. The solution is simple: start taking steps to halt the increase in the population.

J. Reed, Hartlepool