NOT THAT THEY AREN'T ALREADY OVERSTRETCHED:

Ageing population 'will strain NHS resources' (SocietyGuardian.co.uk, December 9, 2005)

The huge rise in the number of older people in the UK over the next 30 years will place a great strain on the NHS, researchers warned today.

The estimated 53% increase in over 65s between 2001 and 2031 will increase both financial and workload pressures on the health service with more demand for treatment for chronic conditions such as heart disease, according to healthcare researchers Dr Foster.