Can We Have Our NI Contributions Back Yet?

It's been coming for a while, but NHS West Kent have become the first health authority to actively pursue a comprehensive policy of restricting treatment based on social criteria.

From this month, patients who smoke and need planned surgery will have to complete a NHS Stop Smoking course before their operation.

Patients who are clinically obese or with a BMI (body mass index) of more than 30 will also have their surgery delayed and will have to carry out a weight loss programme.

One presumes that should the patient refuse, the delay becomes a permanent one.

One thing it fails to mention, though, is a refund of national insurance payments to reflect the lesser quality service they will receive from now on. In fact, if treatment is withdrawn altogether they should be entitled to the return of every damned penny they have paid in during their lifetime.

It's not called 'universal' healthcare for nothing. If the end product isn't universal, the state have no right to demand money with menaces from everyone - irrespective of lifestyle choices - to pay for it.

UPDATE: WfW found this on the West Kent PCT website:

"We are committed to delivering equality of opportunity for all service users, carers, staff and wider communities."

I don't know about you but, in light of their latest policy, that looks very much like a lie to me.