Health Checks For 40 Plus's

[Grianane]

The news story on health checks for 40 plus's on Manx Radio this morning got me thinking. Dr Emerson, who was opposed to the proposal, was questioning where the resources to deal with the impacts of the checks would come from. This was along the lines of where would the funding of say dieticians to help those overweight etc may change their lifestyle.

 

It strikes me that this is a classic case of preventative health care. It would raise awareness of life style impacts and may thereby improve someones long term overall health. For instance if I found I had high blood pressure, early onset diabetese and any number of other conditions I may be able to manage them and thereby avoid untimely death or the need for later life intrusive surgery, health care or medication. Its just like a car service, give it a regular once over, sort out any minor problems avoid major breakdown and increase efficiency and life expectancy.

 

Surely the savings in long term health costs would be greater that the short term costs, especially as the preventative treatment would probably be at much lower cost and many people woudl be able to sort a lot of problems out just by changing diet, exercise or other areas.

 

In stark contrast (apologies for raising the old chestnut) the Doctor supports fluoridation as a means of avoiding long term dental costs, surely these two areas of "preventative medicine" are exactly the same so why does the DHSS support one and not the other.

[Albert Tatlock]

The arguments against this in the UK are mainly about money, resources and targetting.

 

Some are frightened of what they might find, have to treat, and what it will cost (e.g. a trebling of diabetics/heart patients in the system within a couple of years). Some also argue that it's easier and cheaper to treat you when you are getting on in years and have two/three things wrong with you at once rather than deal with one illness at a time. Then there's the concerns about all those people who have nothing wrong with them, who are advised they are likely to live long healthy lives, but who will insist on going for these costly checks at every opportunity - when the people who really should be targetted don't tend to go to the doctor often and live generally unhealthy lives (e.g. mostly the poor).

 

We could do everything. But there's only so much money in the pot so there has to be a reality check - unless people are willing to pay far more into the NHS system. People have paid far more into the NHS in recent years, but whether there has been any significant benefits to that (in line with that spending) is arguable.

[nipper]

Very similar to my thoughts on listening to The Doctor this morning, Grianane.

 

The Isle of Man a "caring and prosperous society"?

 

The only way this Doctor wants to look after the great unwashed of the Isle of Man, is by pouring bags of chemicals into our water supply. Sorry to raise that point too but it does show the way this guy thinks.

 

I wonder how many of the £100,000+ per annum Civil Servants and the many hundreds of £millionaires on this Island opt for private health care and health checks.

 

The money is there alright for the best Health Service in the world. Our Government choose to squander and squander it into someones' already large pockets.

 

New Hospital

MEA

IRIS

 

I think The Doctor knows which side his bread is buttered on.

 

 

edited to add Manx Radio link here

[Miss Take]

The only way this Doctor wants to look after the great unwashed of the Isle of Man, is by pouring bags of chemicals into our water supply.

 

*psst* Don't tell anyone, but water is a chemical too!

[Max Power]

We'll never have a world class health system on this Island for one reason, the complete shortage of medical proffessionals willing to work here solely for the National Health Service. OUR hospital and it's facilities is tied up for private consultations and tests, although paid for by the individual or their insurance company. This is basically to give practicioners a lucrative income over and above their salary and limiting their time spent with NHS patients whilst providing additional funding to the NHS!

 

I am told by a UK surgeon that the IOM is a backwater as far as the medical proffession is concerned and doesn't attract people to live here.

[Mr. Sausages]

We'll never have a world class health system on this Island for one reason, the complete shortage of medical proffessionals willing to work here solely for the National Health Service. OUR hospital and it's facilities is tied up for private consultations and tests, although paid for by the individual or their insurance company. This is basically to give practicioners a lucrative income over and above their salary and limiting their time spent with NHS patients whilst providing additional funding to the NHS!

 

I am told by a UK surgeon that the IOM is a backwater as far as the medical proffession is concerned and doesn't attract people to live here.

 

Allowing doctors to practice privately as well as for the NHS is partly what attracts them. Are you suggesting that stopping them achieve the 'lucrative income over and and above their salary' would make them more likely to come here?

[Charles Flynn]

The news story on health checks for 40 plus's on Manx Radio this morning got me thinking. Dr Emerson, who was opposed to the proposal, was questioning where the resources to deal with the impacts of the checks would come from. This was along the lines of where would the funding of say dieticians to help those overweight etc may change their lifestyle.

 

It strikes me that this is a classic case of preventative health care. It would raise awareness of life style impacts and may thereby improve someones long term overall health. For instance if I found I had high blood pressure, early onset diabetese and any number of other conditions I may be able to manage them and thereby avoid untimely death or the need for later life intrusive surgery, health care or medication. Its just like a car service, give it a regular once over, sort out any minor problems avoid major breakdown and increase efficiency and life expectancy.

 

Surely the savings in long term health costs would be greater that the short term costs, especially as the preventative treatment would probably be at much lower cost and many people woudl be able to sort a lot of problems out just by changing diet, exercise or other areas.

 

In stark contrast (apologies for raising the old chestnut) the Doctor supports fluoridation as a means of avoiding long term dental costs, surely these two areas of "preventative medicine" are exactly the same so why does the DHSS support one and not the other.

 

Don't forget the local pharmacy for some of these checks - the UK Government is listening to the pharmacy profession’s call to extend the clinical and advisory services offered to the public. Many IOM pharmacies are already providing a range of services to their local communities such as the treatment of long-term conditions including asthma,diabetes, cholesterol monitoring, blood pressure tests and also support services for smoking cessation.

[Albert Tatlock]

I'd prefer Logan's run type discs to identify anyone with an illness or a chav IQ - with sandmen employed to hunt them down. It'd save a fortune and a load of grief!

[bluemonday]

Runner!

 

And is not prevention generally better than cure - and cheaper in the long run?

[Max Power]

We'll never have a world class health system on this Island for one reason, the complete shortage of medical proffessionals willing to work here solely for the National Health Service. OUR hospital and it's facilities is tied up for private consultations and tests, although paid for by the individual or their insurance company. This is basically to give practicioners a lucrative income over and above their salary and limiting their time spent with NHS patients whilst providing additional funding to the NHS!

 

I am told by a UK surgeon that the IOM is a backwater as far as the medical proffession is concerned and doesn't attract people to live here.

 

Allowing doctors to practice privately as well as for the NHS is partly what attracts them. Are you suggesting that stopping them achieve the 'lucrative income over and and above their salary' would make them more likely to come here?

Not at all, but the balance needs to be right. I waited two years to see a specialist on two occasions before going private in desperation. Surely that is a tad excessive? (as are some of the charges levied for a five minute consultation!)

[Albert Tatlock]

I waited two years to see a specialist on two occasions before going private in desperation.

Is that the village just outside Ramsey?

[motormouth mabel]

The news story on health checks for 40 plus's on Manx Radio this morning got me thinking. Dr Emerson, who was opposed to the proposal, was questioning where the resources to deal with the impacts of the checks would come from. This was along the lines of where would the funding of say dieticians to help those overweight etc may change their lifestyle.

 

It strikes me that this is a classic case of preventative health care. It would raise awareness of life style impacts and may thereby improve someones long term overall health. For instance if I found I had high blood pressure, early onset diabetese and any number of other conditions I may be able to manage them and thereby avoid untimely death or the need for later life intrusive surgery, health care or medication. Its just like a car service, give it a regular once over, sort out any minor problems avoid major breakdown and increase efficiency and life expectancy.

 

Surely the savings in long term health costs would be greater that the short term costs, especially as the preventative treatment would probably be at much lower cost and many people woudl be able to sort a lot of problems out just by changing diet, exercise or other areas.

 

In stark contrast (apologies for raising the old chestnut) the Doctor supports fluoridation as a means of avoiding long term dental costs, surely these two areas of "preventative medicine" are exactly the same so why does the DHSS support one and not the other.

[motormouth mabel]

I think its the grim reapers aka Health and Treasury ministers striking again. Everything is down to money, even though we are a wealthy little Island. Yes the over 40's should have preventative checks and it would probably save the NHS in the long term, but our government doest have the foresight or vision to see that. us over 40's can go rot as far as they're concerned!! We can all have strokes, heart attacks but at least we'll have nice teeth!!

[Grianane]

http://www.manx.net/default.asp?id=18&articleid=7416

 

Interesting story out yesterday, DAFF suppports preventative health check for farms animals. In my next life I want to be reincarnated as a pig (again)

[Grianane]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7326856.stm

 

Incredible, the elf Ministers crew reject the entire subject and the UK annouces another way of dealing with it..... ARGHHH.

 

Also just remembered wasn't the elf ministers previous career as a bank manager specialising in the farming community. Those animals have it all in their favour.