A duty of care for Nick?

WITH the NHS in a permanent state of crisis, there has been much talk of rationing care. Smokers or obese patients could be denied surgery in what are basically costcutting measures. After all, why should we pay for people who refuse to help themselves? So where would that have left Nick Blackwell, the boxer who returned to the ring to spar, despite having been left in coma by Chris Eubank Jr in March 2016? Blackwell was warned not to return, and retired — then took part in an unlicensed session with Hasan Karkardi in November.

Taken to hospital as an emergency again, he had an operation to remove part of his skull to alleviate pressure on his brain. He needs further surgery and is still unable to walk.

What should we do? Blackwell is as responsible for his misfortune as any smoker or porker. Should he just have been left to die on the canvas, a victim of his lifestyle choices?

Be careful what you wish for, people. One day society’s judges could come for you. PHILIPPE Montanier is the latest manager to be sacked by Nottingham Forest, after a creditable draw at Birmingham. Owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi (right) is now looking for the ninth boss of his reign, having ended negotiations surrounding the £50m takeover by John Jay Moores, an American investor. Moores, former owner of the San Diego Padres baseball franchise, cooled on the deal, reducing its value considerably, no doubt exhausted by the lengthy talks and Al-Hasawi’s many demands. The club have floundered horribly under his stewardship. Everybody leaves Nottingham Forest, it seems, apart from the man who should. UEFA commissioned a report that revealed Manchester United have £175million more net debt than any club in Europe. Thank heavens they also have David Gill on the inside, then; or some UEFA chap might come up with a set of rules that would try to kill them for it.