AS a former registered nurse with the NHS, now operating as an independent health coach, I fully agree with David Moore (Letters, July 23) in respect of his point about the NHS having a finite role and capacity in promoting positive health.
He says "surely it is time for politicians of all shades to tell it like it is" in terms of highlighting the need for individuals to assume personal responsibility for their basic maintenance of both mind and body.
We are blessed with an excellent health service - I worked within it for many years - but many of its resources are increasingly drained by conditions such as obesity and diabetes which can be alleviated or, indeed, prevented by the individual's lifestyle.
Mr Moore is correct. the National Health Service cannot be seen "as a cure-all, especially where this individual responsibility is disregarded".
We need to help people take better care of their own health, before the NHS has to.
Debbie Miller,
18 Knightsridge House,
Deer Park,
Livingston.
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