The Conservatives will next week unveil proposals for individual "care plans" for every patient, reports the Times.

Doctors and nurses will be told that they can choose freely the best care plan to suit the individual from across the NHS.

The move comes after Tony Blair and Michael Howard exchanged blows over the health service during prime minister's questions.

Responding to Tory taunts over waiting times, the prime minister said: "I am delighted that you want to join battle on this issue.

"Let me tell you exactly what our policy is: to expand choice and to expand the capacity. Without the investment in the National Health Service, choice is entirely meaningless."