Labour Health Plans Are Political, Prescriptive And Bullying - Potts

12.00.00am GMT Mon 7th Mar 2005

Commenting ahead of the launch of Labour's mini-manifesto for health, Sam Potts, Liberal Democrat, said:

"After eight years in office three words sum up Labour's top-down, target-driven approach to the NHS: political, prescriptive and bullying.

"Labour's first instinct when something goes wrong in the NHS is to set another target or impose another fine. Often the targets get hit but the point gets missed.

"Both Labour and the Tories are offering patients false choice. For most people their first choice is a quality health service close to home, but without quality and capacity 'choice' is just empty rhetoric.

"Over the past 8 years Labour has failed to tackle the hidden waiting lists for tests and scans, leaving many patients languishing for over a year waiting to get a diagnosis. The Liberal Democrats are committed to tackling the hidden waiting lists before you get a diagnosis.

"The NHS will never meet patients' needs as long as the Government pulls all the strings. The NHS must be set free from Government meddling to let staff get on with the job of treating patients. This would mean shorter waiting times, cleaner hospitals and more personalised care."

ENDS