The NHS promises that care will be 'free at the point of delivery'. However, the cost of delivering care is significantly higher than it was when the NHS started, and the demands on its services are now much greater. Spending on health and social care in England is estimated at over £170 billion for 2022/23 (Kings Fund 2022).
It has been argued that the commitment to free healthcare cannot be sustained and that the users of the service should be expected to take some responsibility for reducing their own health risks.
An example is people who are otherwise fit and healthy and who take part in risky activities such as freestyle high-altitude climbing, horse riding, base-jumping, and off-piste skiing. These are voluntary activities with known risk, so it could be argued that the NHS (i.e. taxpayers) should not have to pick up the costs of people taking excessive risks.
What do you think?