Entertainment
Janet Street-Porter sparks outrage after calling for NHS points system to tackle obesity: ‘She’s talking rubbish’
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Loose Women’s Janet Street-Porter rubbed viewers the wrong way after suggesting overweight people should not receive NHS treatment if they’ve run out of points.
During Wednesday’s edition of the daytime show, hosts Frankie Bridge, Ruth Langsford, Kéllé Bryan, and Janet discussed how the NHS can help the UK’s obesity epidemic
While the 75-year-old broadcaster appreciated how the last two years have impacted the nation’s physical and mental health, she questioned whether funding should be given to those who don’t ‘exercise.’
‘There is no two ways about it, the country is bigger, fatter, overweight or whatever the word we are allowed to call… unhealthier,’ she said.
‘I’m in two minds about this because the government has asked Keith Mills to look at how we incentivise people to live more healthily, he’s the bloke that came up with the Nectar and air mile schemes,’ she added.
Proposing a way forward, the star suggested for everyone to have a ‘health passport.’
Janet’s points didn’t sit well with viewers (Picture: ITV)
Kelle Bryan didn’t agree with her comments (Picture: ITV)
She continued: ‘So, every year, we’d get so many points like Nectar points or air miles, or rewards and we could choose how we spend them and what we spend them on.
‘Well if you run out, you’re not going to be able to get IVF or gastric band or cosmetics,’ she added.
Janet’s comment didn’t go down to well with fans who challenged Janet’s opinion by sharing their own personal stories.
‘@loosewomen @RuthieeL I respect Janet however she’s talking rubbish ! A gastric band is not an easy option ! Obesity is an illness and I’ve lost loads and gained it back it’s just not easy 😡,’ one person wrote.
‘Christ alive, Janet Street Porter basically openly advocating for social credit scoring system (connected to health & lifestyle choices,’ another added.
One person weighed in: ‘#LooseWomen I do hope Janet realises the NHS won’t do all the tests you require. GPs are fund holders and will only do certain basic tests. My Sister was sure she had under active thyroid. She had to pay privately to get an accurate diagnosis!!!’
Kéllé challenged Janet’s argument by pointing out that if there was a points system put in place for her, she would have run out years ago.
More: Loose Women
She said: ‘There are also other factors like low income families, who haven’t had the education or exposure to different nutrition, facts and figures that can help them in terms of raising their children in a way that is healthier.’
‘If I were on that scheme I would have been out of points years ago, because I’m in hospital all the time,’ she added.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.
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