Should the NHS treat this man?

A man who suffered spinal injuries after taking part in a suspected "tombstoning" stunt is likely to be paralysed for the rest of his life.

Steven Andrews, 25, is in hospital with severe spinal injuries after jumping off a cliff into 3ft (90cm) of water.

The incident happened at Sharrow Point in Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, on Saturday.

Pamela Bond, the mother of Mr Andrews who is from Plymouth, Devon, said his life and dreams were "ruined". "It's heart-wrenching," she said.


An individual has no real idea what's under the water
Dave Scullion, Brixham Coastguard
"He's paralysed from the neck down for life, I just feel really scared and frightened, I'm in total shock."

Mr Andrews, who lives with his mother, went to Sharrow Beach on Saturday with friends.

It is understood he had been drinking before deciding to jump, despite being warned twice by lifeguards who then rushed to pull him unconscious from the water.

He was flown to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth by air ambulance and is now in intensive care.

In a separate accident, Sonny Wells, 20, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, jumped into water less than 4ft (1.2m) deep from South Parade Pier in Southsea on Sunday.

'Bitter experience'

He has also been told he may never walk again.

Dave Scullion, from Brixham Coastguard, said tombstoning - diving from height into water - was madness as tidal flows alter the depth of water dramatically.

"An individual has no real idea what's under the water they are jumping in," he said.

"We know from bitter experience of treating casualties that a couple of hours' work for concerned lifeguards can turn into a lifetime of pain for the individual and years of treatment from the NHS."


The care cost for this man together with benefit payments will more than likely run into the millions over his life time. Now, it is proven that he suffered these injury's of his own accord. Should the government refuse to pay for his care or make any financial contribution to him? I am not saying to let him die I am saying should they staberlise him and then kick him out of the hospital?

 

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No

He's paid his taxes and his national insurance (presumably) - he'll doubtless be able to return to work at some point and pay more taxes - that's what they are there for.

 

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"likely to be paralysed for the rest of his life" What job will he be doing then? Licking stamps?

 

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So you would rather deny a person who takes their health serious and acts responsibly drugs that the NHS cannot afford because the NHS pays out million to idiots like this man?

 

the NHS is there to treat people, yes he was stupid and he is paying for that the rest of his life,

two boys a few years ago jumped from the pier in blackpool, (i'll post the story)

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Dog rescue tragedy boys are named

Alex (l) and Oliver were trying to save a dog
Police have released the names of two teenagers who were swept out to sea off Blackpool while trying to rescue a dog.
Sixteen-year-old Oliver Harvey's body was found on Saturday after drowning close to the town's promenade.

His friend, Alex Kazmir Yorke, also 16, was still missing, feared dead, on Sunday afternoon.

They had been walking with friends along the lower promenade close to Gynn Square when the tragedy happened. The border collie, called Sarah, also died.

Liverpool Coastguard co-ordinated a search using a Sea King rescue helicopter and lifeboats after the boys were seen struggling in the water at about 1530 BST on Saturday.

We have been in contact with the Yorke family and send our heart-felt best wishes to them at this awful time

Parents of Oliver Harvey

Oliver lived in Carshalton Road, Blackpool, while Alex lived in Charnwood Avenue.

Oliver's body was winched out of the sea at about 1615 BST and taken to Royal Victoria Hospital in Blackpool where his death was confirmed.

The body of the dog, which is believed to have belonged to one of the boys' friends, was found about one-and-a-half hours later.

About 20 people searched along the resort's seafront on Sunday looking for Alex's body.

The search was temporarily called off at about 1200 BST due to the rising tide.


The boys were swept into the sea near the North Pier

Oliver's parents, Desmond and Beverley, said they were "devastated" by his death.

"We would like to thank all the emergency services and everybody else who helped in the search following this tragedy," they said.

"We have been in contact with the Yorke family and send our heart-felt best wishes to them at this awful time."

Oliver, who was due to celebrate his 17th birthday in three weeks, is believed to have been studying for NVQ qualifications at college.

Alex's parents, Garry and Wanda, said Alex was "an intelligent boy who loved reading and enjoyed music, particularly heavy rock music".

"He was a pupil at Collegiate High School in Blackpool where he excelled in his subjects and was hoping to be a vet," they added.


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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/4591839.stm

if those boys survived should they have been refused NHS treatment?

yes people do stupid things, we pay our taxes and our national insurance and we pay for medical service which we at times need to call on! even if we are the ones who have done stupid things.

what we need to be shouting at, are these idiots who, are given treatments for cancer and are told to stop smoking or die, and they carry on smoking and then need even more treatment they are a drain on the service not that man/men

 

Call centre's employ lots of disabled and paralysed people - they only need to talk on the phone after all

 

Angel you story involved children so I would agree that they should be treated fully.

 

So would you wipe their ass when they need the toilet?

 

everyone should have the treatment they need

 

paid into the system , not like all these east european scroungers coming over here , milking our state and sending money back to there pisspot country, that should be the real issue

 

That's the utopie, but I do agree that the idiot needs medical attention without people mentioning how stupid he was to often. Don't worry he's know that it was stupid everytime he tries to move a limb. Their is less shame in being stupid then in being a asshole but he will have to cary the consecuences

 

Yep - on your sleeve

 

I think all of you are missing the point here. The NHS has limited resources and cannot afford newer expensive drugs (Cancer, Alzheimer's etc). Should the NHS/Government be drained of money by treating people who have caused their own injury/illness?

So lets put it this way, which option would you chose here:

1. Spend 100 Million on treating people who have caused their own illness/injury and were CLEARLY warned of the danger they faced?

2. Spend 100 Million on a new cancer treatment?

 

I agree its theoretic option its just not that simple. But I am putting it forward to judge people opinion. What would you select 1 or 2?

Thinking along the lines I have portrayed here will become more and more important. With an aging population health care costs are going to cripple the NHS and costs will have to looked at it ever greater detail.

 

No, and they should use him as an example to others, fucking idiot

though it can be fucking lulzworthy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtdQ9UfcO7o

 

so somebody driving at 31 miles an hour in a 30 zone who has a crash and injures themselves is not entitled to treatment?

 

No because that could be an error.

You seem to not have the ability to select 1 or 2, have you landed on your head lately?

 

what if it was deliberate?

 

How much more damage would occur as a result of this 1 mph? It's minimal. However, jumping of a pier when I life guard has informed you twice not too is a totally unnecessary risk with clear dangers.

By the way 31 MPH is not illegal. The real speed limit is MPH Speed limit (?0) + 3 MPH + 10% or something like that (Uk Law)

 

You're just haggling over the price - excessive speed causes accidents and everyone knows that, in fact its the number 1 cause.
For that reason alone this hypothetical example is equally stupid and irresponsible as yours. Moreso in fact as the driver would be breaking the law (31mph in a 30 zone IS illegal - just difficult to prosecute), and they are putting other lives at risk other than their own.

On that basis would you withold medical treatment?