Government Responses to Health Flashcards
Government Responses to Health Structure
Introduction Free Prescriptions Smoking Ban Minimum Pricing Baby Box Sugar Tax Conclusion
Government Responses to Health Introduction
- Face many health inequalities
- Highest amount of alcohol related deaths amongst most deprived
- Those living in Kensington and Chelsea have 10 years longer life expectancy than glasgow
- Scotland have responded with their devolved powers in health
Free Prescriptions
K- April 2011
- SNP used devolved power to abolish prescription fees
and England became last country to still have them
- Universal benefit
An- Means that nobody has to choose between what
medication they can afford and not afford
- Government said people who have long term
illnesses save £200 a year
- Supported by Scottish Labour
- Patient groups warn that a return to fees would hurt
those on lowest incomes the most
An- Criticisms from Scottish Conservatives
- Giving people who can afford it free prescriptions is
‘politically irresponsible and a drain on public
resources’
- Government is losing £60m revenue a year which
could be used for helping children and the elderly
Ev- Successful as it reduces inequalities for lowest earners and returns health service to ‘free at point of use’
Smoking Ban
K- Scotland was the first country in UK to introduce
smoking ban in 2007
- Raised smoking age from 16 to 18
- Banned smoking in indoor public spaces such as pubs
and restaurants
- Since then, many other responses such as banning
smoking in cars with children, standardising cigarette
packaging and banning displays in shops.
An- Cancer Research have said its an enormous success
- In 2007, when smoking ban first introduced, there
were around 10.1 million smokers. Reduced by 20% in
a decade to 8.3 million, an all time low.
- Also impacted attitudes as young people less likely
to smoke. A decade ago, more than 1/4 under young
smokers, now only 17%.
An- Smokers rights groups claim that rising in e cigarettes
is the reason for smoking rates falling.
- Should focus on education, not prohibition
- Also devastated pub industry, from 2007-2015, 7000
pubs closed down.
Ev- Other methods may help reduce rates but it has been
an obvious success.
Minimum Pricing
K- Introduced in 2016 by SNP and sets floor price for
alcohol depending on strength.
- 50p per unit of alcohol.
An- Should be successful as fix Scotland’s unhealthy
relationship with alcohol.
- Before, you could exceed weekly limit of 14 with
£2.50, now its tripled to £7.50
- Predicted to reduce hospital admissions by 1300 and
save 58 lives in first year.
- Stop young people from starting new habits as can’t
afford it.
An- However, many argue that people will still buy it but
just pay more.
- Neil Martin, heavy drinker in Glasgow said ‘when
you’ve got a drink problem, you’re going to find the
money from somewhere.’
- Also affect businesses
- Imran Mohammed lose £500 per week
Ev- Not stop everyone but can make some progress
Baby Box
K- Introduced in 2017 in Scotland
- Includes essentials such as baby clothes, blankets
- Includes mattress so that the box can be used for bed
An- Royal College of Midwives said it will give babies a
‘more equal start to life’
- Improved environment as sleeping in box is better
than sleeping on couch near alcohol and drugs.
- Nicola Sturgeon claims it will reduce infant mortality
rates as it is from Finland, a country with very low
rates
An- However, Professor Peter Blair said theres no
evidence of it being safe to sleep in.
- Harder to see the baby compared to a cot or moses
basket.
- Kela (Finish benefits agency) even said ‘empirical
data on the effect of the maternity package on infant
mortality does not exist’
Ev- Should improve health service overall like Finland
Sugar Tax
K- Introduced in April 2018 where manufacturers have to
pay a levy.
- Drinks with over 8g of sugar per 100ml have to pay 24p
per litre.
An- Necessary as UK facing crisis with 2/3 adults being
obese
- Aim for manufacturers to reduce sugar content
- Successful as treasury estimated revenue to be
£500m but reduced to £240m after half of
manufacturers changed recipes
An- Other sugary foods such as cakes and biscuits not
included
- Mintel found under half of people would cut back
- Criticisms of nanny state, education is better
Ev- Too early to tell if successful but sales of sugary drinks in Mexico since ban reduced by 12%
Government responses to health conclusion
- Most have been successful and reduced health inequalities
- Continue to invest and there are still problems
