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NHS left to 'pick up pieces' of people's lifestyle choices, says minister NHS left to 'pick up pieces' of people's lifestyle choices, says minister
(35 minutes later)
The NHS should not be there to "pick up the pieces" after people fall ill because of the health choices they have made, said the Welsh health minister. The NHS should not be there to "pick up the pieces" after people fall ill because of their lifestyle choices, said the Welsh health minister.
Mark Drakeford said people needed to understand the consequences of becoming obese or drinking too much.Mark Drakeford said people needed to understand the consequences of becoming obese or drinking too much.
He backed one Welsh health board's policy of making overweight people attend health courses before being put on treatment waiting lists.He backed one Welsh health board's policy of making overweight people attend health courses before being put on treatment waiting lists.
A BBC Wales poll found 82% people thought the policy should be extended.A BBC Wales poll found 82% people thought the policy should be extended.
The survey of 502 people marks the start of a new season of BBC Wales programmes called Live Longer Wales about people's lifestyles.The survey of 502 people marks the start of a new season of BBC Wales programmes called Live Longer Wales about people's lifestyles.
In one programme, Mr Drakeford denied claims of a "nanny state" claiming that "what the state does when it helps people to understand the consequences of their action is not nannying at all, it is acting as one responsible adult would to another".In one programme, Mr Drakeford denied claims of a "nanny state" claiming that "what the state does when it helps people to understand the consequences of their action is not nannying at all, it is acting as one responsible adult would to another".
In July, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board launched its weight management programme saying improving weight before an operation gives a better outcome.In July, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board launched its weight management programme saying improving weight before an operation gives a better outcome.
Under the new policy, anyone who wants elective surgery with a body-mass index (BMI) above 40 must have been "offered, accepted and completed weight management support" before being added to the waiting list.Under the new policy, anyone who wants elective surgery with a body-mass index (BMI) above 40 must have been "offered, accepted and completed weight management support" before being added to the waiting list.
Persuading peoplePersuading people
The National Obesity Forum, an independent group looking at the treatment and management of obesity issues, has criticised the weight management programme warning the drop-out rate could be high.The National Obesity Forum, an independent group looking at the treatment and management of obesity issues, has criticised the weight management programme warning the drop-out rate could be high.
But Mr Drakeford said overweight people were less likely to benefit clinically from some operations.But Mr Drakeford said overweight people were less likely to benefit clinically from some operations.
He added: "If you don't put yourself in a position where that treatment will be effective then that treatment won't be available to you."He added: "If you don't put yourself in a position where that treatment will be effective then that treatment won't be available to you."
He said he was "not in favour of penalising people", adding it is "more than education - it is about motivation".He said he was "not in favour of penalising people", adding it is "more than education - it is about motivation".
"And it is about persuading people that if they want to live longer and they want to live healthily then that means eating better, moving more and drinking less," he said."And it is about persuading people that if they want to live longer and they want to live healthily then that means eating better, moving more and drinking less," he said.
Live Longer Wales is a new season of programmes from BBC Wales throughout October.Live Longer Wales is a new season of programmes from BBC Wales throughout October.