Health secretary John Reid has criticised Tory plans to "impoverish" the NHS.

In a speech to the New Local Government Network annual conference, Reid argued that the proposed Conservative "right to choose" policy, where patients could opt to be treated at a private hospital with the state paying for half of the cost, will benefit the wealthy.

"Introducing choice into healthcare doesn't have to be about how big your wallet is – like the Opposition is proposing," he said.

"We can, as a civil society, invest in a health service for all that offers choice for all. Or, we can offer only the healthy and wealthy choices and let the NHS become a poorly funded sink health service."

Reid added: "The evidence is that lower socio-economic groups want more choice just as much as middle-class voters. It is the lower groups who have suffered most disadvantages.

"And they are no doubt fed up with those with the most 'pointy elbows' and the fattest wallets gaining preferential treatment.

"This is not choice for all but choice for the few; subsidising the wealthy to be healthy. There are offering a two tier service."