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Mark Drakeford on NHS stress from smoking and drinking | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The NHS is being put under too much pressure dealing with self-inflicted conditions, the health minister has warned. | The NHS is being put under too much pressure dealing with self-inflicted conditions, the health minister has warned. |
Mark Drakeford says it is having to "rescue" people from "harm that need never have happened" through too much smoking, drinking and a poor diet. | Mark Drakeford says it is having to "rescue" people from "harm that need never have happened" through too much smoking, drinking and a poor diet. |
He told BBC Healthcheck Wales he would do all he could to "bear down" on smoking. | He told BBC Healthcheck Wales he would do all he could to "bear down" on smoking. |
He also wants a UK government crackdown on sugar in processed food. | He also wants a UK government crackdown on sugar in processed food. |
Mr Drakeford was speaking in an interview for BBC Wales, as part of a week looking at the NHS in Wales, and which also publishes a poll from ICM Research. | Mr Drakeford was speaking in an interview for BBC Wales, as part of a week looking at the NHS in Wales, and which also publishes a poll from ICM Research. |
More than half questioned say the NHS should limit or refuse treatment for those who refuse to make lifestyle changes. | More than half questioned say the NHS should limit or refuse treatment for those who refuse to make lifestyle changes. |
The minister said: "The NHS has a responsibility and it's my responsibility as minister to ensure the service is as good as we can make it, but there are responsibilities citizens and patients have too. | The minister said: "The NHS has a responsibility and it's my responsibility as minister to ensure the service is as good as we can make it, but there are responsibilities citizens and patients have too. |
"If we want the NHS as a future to continue providing for us when something awful happens we have to do more to avoid the harms that are avoidable." | "If we want the NHS as a future to continue providing for us when something awful happens we have to do more to avoid the harms that are avoidable." |
He said he has also written three times to the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in England urging him to take a mandatory approach to reduce sugar in processed food. | He said he has also written three times to the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in England urging him to take a mandatory approach to reduce sugar in processed food. |
As part of BBC Wales' Healthcheck Wales, Mr Drakeford is questioned about the challenges facing the NHS - and its performance. | As part of BBC Wales' Healthcheck Wales, Mr Drakeford is questioned about the challenges facing the NHS - and its performance. |
The health minister talked about changes to the ambulance service to make sure crews got to those in the most need quickly. | The health minister talked about changes to the ambulance service to make sure crews got to those in the most need quickly. |
Mr Drakeford was asked by BBC Wales' Jamie Owen about the case of a 92-year-old Swansea woman who had to wait two and half hours for an ambulance after she fell and broke her hip in her garden. | Mr Drakeford was asked by BBC Wales' Jamie Owen about the case of a 92-year-old Swansea woman who had to wait two and half hours for an ambulance after she fell and broke her hip in her garden. |
He said such a wait was "completely unacceptable". | He said such a wait was "completely unacceptable". |
The health minister also defended how hospitals in Wales have dealt with winter pressures, despite unprecedented demands. | The health minister also defended how hospitals in Wales have dealt with winter pressures, despite unprecedented demands. |
On the experience of patients in the NHS, Mr Drakeford insisted that the majority believed they had a good service and were seen within target waiting times. | On the experience of patients in the NHS, Mr Drakeford insisted that the majority believed they had a good service and were seen within target waiting times. |
He also dealt with the issue of lifestyle choices and how pressures are placed on the NHS from smoking, excessive drinking and eating and lack of exercise. | He also dealt with the issue of lifestyle choices and how pressures are placed on the NHS from smoking, excessive drinking and eating and lack of exercise. |
The minister said the biggest challenge facing the NHS is meeting rising demand and more complex needs while there is less money. | The minister said the biggest challenge facing the NHS is meeting rising demand and more complex needs while there is less money. |
Mr Drakeford also said the wider picture of creating a healthier Wales also relied on social and economic factors, not just the NHS. | Mr Drakeford also said the wider picture of creating a healthier Wales also relied on social and economic factors, not just the NHS. |