Deaths: Younger Age Cohorts Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Lord McColl of Dulwich

Main Page: Lord McColl of Dulwich (Conservative - Life peer)

Deaths: Younger Age Cohorts

Lord McColl of Dulwich Excerpts
Thursday 11th January 2024

(10 months, 2 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate
Lord Evans of Rainow Portrait Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My noble friend raises an important point. The Government have recruited more doctors, nurses, community diagnostic centres and single surgical centres. We are treating record numbers of patients. We know that the waiting list will rise before it comes down, as demand returns to the NHS following the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a good thing, and we urge everyone who is worried about their health to come forward. We are taking action to recover elective services by providing the NHS with record levels of staffing and funding, and by supporting trusts to maximise capacity via a new network of community diagnostic centres, surgical hubs and an increased use of the independent sector. These new investments will make a significant dent in the waiting list. Unfortunately, strike action has led to further increases in waiting lists this year.

Lord McColl of Dulwich Portrait Lord McColl of Dulwich (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

My Lords, the increased mortality is due to 40 million people who are obese, and it is up to each one of them, if they wish to avoid a premature death, to start eating less and doing with one fewer meal a day. What is more, this would save the NHS as well as saving the 40 million people, because the obesity epidemic is costing in excess of £50 billion a year.

Lord Evans of Rainow Portrait Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

My noble friend makes a good point and is a doughty campaigner on such matters. We could all do with looking after ourselves, taking physical exercise and eating less.