I AM one of the ageing population.

I recently found it necessary to telephone 111, as my chronic chest infection had worsened, and falling on a weekend period, I felt I needed to seek quick advice.

I was advised to attend A&E, which I would not have considered unless I felt it of a serious nature.

I was shocked to find at 2.30am on a Sunday, it was full of drunks, all in the region of 18-25 years.

So much for the ageing population clogging up A&E, hospital beds and surgeries.

One only has to look around to witness so much obesity in our young people today – first class candidates for early heart disease and strokes etc.

If they are already filling our hospitals at such a young age, goodness knows what their health conditions will be by the time they reach 60. Many may never reach 50, let alone 60!

Admittedly, you will always find some who will abuse the system. We are not perfect, but we are far more conscientious than many of the young nowadays. Drugs, excessive drinking and obesity seem to be the normal pathway of life for so many of them.

D YEOMAN

Hilltop Road, Ferndown

Want to respond to this letter for publication? send us a letter