New ‘Free Beer on the NHS’ Scheme
We would like to announce a new NHS Wales initiative to combat long-term fatigue brought about by anaemia, insomnia and low mood. And we can reveal that the experiment is to be trialled here in Pembrokeshire.
A reliable medical source told us: “They have been researching some of the older remedies – what we commonly call ‘old wives’ tales’ – and they have come up with some options that are felt to be worth exploring further.
“GPs are reporting that Pembrokeshire has been particularly hard hit by patients complaining of fatigue, so it is proposed to introduce a free bottle of stout per person across the whole county to help boost iron and alleviate symptoms in sufferers.”
The new initiative begins on 1 April 2021 and a prescription will be available for all sufferers, allowing one bottle of stout per day. It is anticipated that the stocks that pharmacies are now gathering will be sufficient to cover the need of all eligible patients who have been diagnosed as needing the extra boost by their GP.
When we spoke with one Pembrokeshire practice, we were told by frontline staff that they are bracing themselves for a busy time. One receptionist, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “We have so many bottles of a well-known stout in our storeroom that we have had to rent a local lock-up to store vaccine stocks. We have more people wanting their beer than the vaccine. I never knew there were so many tired people in Wales.”
