Here is a completely new thread about minimal pricing of alcohol, within Great Britain.
As you’ll all be aware, back in May 2018 Scotland introduced minimum pricing of alcohol. I have pointed out on this site before, how this was (in my opinion) a missed opportunity. Had this extra pricing been introduced as a tax, then the extra revenue raised could have been fed back into the system and used to support those alcohol support groups and detox centres. So, using the principle of cause and effect. The cause was being used to help fund the effect. Sadly, this was a missed opportunity, and became just another price hike, which ended up going back into the pockets of the retailer, and ultimately back into the hands of the alcohol producers.
The Latest figures for Scotland show a marked reduction is the amount to deaths and hospital admissions cause by alcohol since this price increase was imposed. However, it’s too early to speculate if this is a result of the price increase, or because people are seeking alternative ways of getting their highs. Street names like Black mamba (spice) and Monkey dust, etc. Scotland’s drug-related death toll has increased by 27% over the past year to reach a record high of 1,187, putting the country on a par in terms of the fatality rate per capita with the United States, where synthetic opioids such as fentanyl have devastated drug-using populations.
Back November 2018, I wrote to Mr Vaughan Gething AM, Minister for Health and social Services Wales. (I should point out at this stage that the NHS Wales receives the majority of its funding from the Welsh Government). I pointed out Scotland’s missed opportunity, and asked how Wales intended to introduce the minimum unit pricing which was set to be introduced in the Summer of 2019. I received a nice rather brief reply simply saying that nothing had been agreed upon and that time.
As most of people will be aware, Wales doesn’t have a Liver transplant centre. Most transplants are carried out at the QE in Birmingham, with funding being paid for by the Welsh Government, which ultimately comes out of the NHS Wales annual budget.
I had pointed out to Mr Gething, that if the minimum unit pricing was introduced as a tax, then this may well help fund the setting up of a liver transplant centre in Wales. I had also pointed out, that as Wales was one of the first countries to introduce the “Organ Donor – opt out system”. You could have a liver becoming available in Wales, and having to transport the organ to the QE, where a recipient from Wales could receive the transplant. Sadly, this present system can lead to organ degradation and a lot of disappointment all round.
I have therefore been waiting to see the price increase in Wales be introduced this month.
It would appear that this has now been put on hold all because of Brexit.
Portugal has once again objected to this price increase, and I can only guess that Wales are just trying to appease everyone: bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-pol...
I really don’t want to start a debate about Brexit, or of the rights or wrongs of a country being told what it can’t do. This thread is just for information only: bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-489...
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Hi Richard
I'm so pleased you are back on, the information you have found out for this article is fantastic as are many issues you have brought to our attention. Well done again, Richard. Please take care Lynne
Unfortunately the bigger picture is the revenue that HMRC receives from the Alcohol Industry. The amount raised is £13 to £16 billion a year, against the direct £3.5 billion cost to the NHS. The social costs are not factored in. There is a voluntary code due in September coming for Health Warnings and attempts being made to classify alcohol as a junk food. This could then be covered under proposed restrictions on advertising.
As you mentioned, the focus right now with the legislators is elsewhere.
Believe it or not, a week or two after minimum unit pricing came in for Scotland, hubby and I were in Berwick Upon Tweed during a holiday and there were a couple in the B&M store there (obvious Scots) and they were putting 3 trolley loads of shopping through the tills - all three trolleys were piled high with cheap cider brands (blue bottles). I guess the petrol cost to get 'over the border' was worth the savings they were making on the booze.
Great to see you back Richard with a very important post. I guess money, not health will always win out in the end, sadly. Please don't let the few nasty people on here, deprive the rest of us who appreciate your input greatly.
I never saw any “nasty” people vadid. Unless you include me of course. 😁. I saw some ask very reasonable questions so as to debate a particular point. I never knew that debate was deemed “nasty”? Or was there something “nasty” I missed in the post Richard deleted?
Plimilop, I never saw Richards post either, but I don't think Richard would have felt offended without good reason. There have been other people offended on here before, but in the interest of harmony, lets just put it to bed, which is where I'm going now 💤💤🛌🛌
I am all for harmony. But as one who disagreed with Richard I don’t like to be told - in a roundabout way - that I have “bitter comments and objectionable opinions”. I have reported this element of the post because there is no need for Richard to be “nasty” to me - or indeed anyone else who happened to disagree with him. Without that sentence everything would be hunky dory 😁.👍.
Mikes, I never knew who the people where who upset Richard. so my post was not aimed at anyone in particular. I just felt that Richard is a great contributor to this forum, and was trying to give him encouragement to stay.
That is fine David 👍. But if I disagreed with your view (on anything) I certainly wouldn’t call you nasty 😀. From our previous discussions I know/hope 😀 you wouldn’t disagree agree with that?
Miles, my use of the "nasty" word was inappropriate, as I didn't know who was saying it, or what was said. I hope Richard stays on the forum, as i find his posts very interesting and thought provoking.
Please Miles let it go eh ? I see no evidence of fingerpointing at you. We dont want Richards post shut down due to arguing when it contains many useful facts which are worth discussing with members on the forum don't you think. Thankyou
Hi Richard, thanks for this which makes a interesting point. I totally agree with what you've posted. I do hope they your well and it's good to hear from you.
Many thanks for your comments. I have been working on a new project of late. It's a local venture dealing with the mental aspects of having both liver disease and a liver transplant. Just putting a new website together.
You know the only thing the causes me concern is that I am a big believer of this site.
I know when I came all of you made such a huge difference to my life. You still do.
I know there have been a few who say that they won’t come back since then. Richard being just the latest one.
Such a loss, no matter what points of view you hold. We are like a family.
Surely we can disagree nicely and still care about each other.
What about the other new folks who come. Just like I did, scared and needing you guys all of you ! What will happen to them ?
I was so lucky and I do honestly, start each day with a grateful heart.
For each and everyone of you.
Each of you truly touched my life.
I really loved the support and friendship you ALL gave me. (Still do)
So, I love the thought of just how many people you help and continue to long after some get better.
I am not knowledgeable on most of what is offered in advice. But you guys are, and they need you!!!
However, I try to tell each of the newbies “welcome to this friendly site”.
It is a loss whoever leaves. Remember what beautiful people you are.
Objectionable opinions? You started a thread recently about a HE register. I never read your posts as you just copy verbatim from google without stating sources, but on that occasion a couple of people pointed me to said thread. A few posters disagreed as is their right as they were polite in doing so. However, the entire thread then vanished.
Were these the objectionable opinions, Rich? Isn’t the U.K. still a democracy and a place that allows free speech? I reported your post as your opening lines are not reasonable. If you don’t want other’s opinion, move to North Korea.
You're not alone Pilo. I thought the beginning of this thread was antagonistic. Richard could have put his information on here without that first paragraph, it was totally unnecessary. Alf
I would just like to assist you with your potentional councelling career. Many people who have addiction problems were in the main, initially caused by mental and physical abuse at an early age. If you have some intelligience you should read up and learn this about this and realise that bullying is exactly what makes vulnerable people turn to a crutch like alcohol or drugs and crime. In many cases bullies round up weaker people to join them in their quest to drag the vulnerable down to the depths of dispair to make themselves look big and clever but others on the outside can see through the facade.
On this forum we see people with such addiction problems many initally caused by trauma in their lives who value the experience and knowledge of others who have been in exactly the same situation. They are learning how to rid themselves of their anxieties, gain some self esteem, beat their addictions and learn how to manage the lifelimiting illnesses alcohol has caused to their liver and other organs.
All this you need to understand....have a quiet mouth an incredible gift for listening and have a great deal of empathy and respect in order to offer the same invaluable support.
This, in my view, is unacceptable? I will robustly challenge those on this forum that feel that they are self appointed perfects and will be making this point in a private message to Trust1. I would urge those of you that feel the same to also do this. This forum has NO place for bullying and the self appiunted chosen few have NO right to behave in this manner. I am furious.
Richard, I am so sorry that you felt that you were asked or had to edit your original post? Please continue to post on the forum. I have received a number of private messages from others, that feel to intimidated to post publicly, that feel the same. Your contribution s are welcomed by many.
Thank you Richard for sharing this post about MUP and for all your work in the wider community for people with liver disease.
We will be closing this post now as admin have received 9 personal messages complaining about various members this morning and this has to stop.
There is a lot of negative feeling between groups of members and it is making the forum an argumentative and volatile place to visit, often when people are vulnerable and looking for support.
We would ask that members to ignore those that they do not agree with, and to please be mindful of the way you ALL construct your posts.
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