Blair: Breast and bowel cancer plan

Labour and the Conservatives have unveiled new commitments to improve NHS services.

The prime minister has pledged that a re-elected Labour government would speed up the treatment of breast and bowel cancer.

Responding to the developments, the Liberal Democrats have warned against creating new health service targets.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have said they would establish five new children's hospitals, with NHS trusts in Leeds, Nottingham, Derby, Cambridge and Southampton being asked to bid for funds to develop dedicated children's hospitals.

Labour plans

Setting out a policy that will "make a difference to thousands of patients", Tony Blair said there was a need for continued investment in the NHS.

Under the new plans, by 2008 all women with breast cancer would be seen by a consultant within two weeks of being referred by a GP.

And the same time commitment will also be given to patients with suspected bowel cancer.

A third promise would see all women receive the results of cervical cancer smear tests within seven days.

Blair said it was "an ambitious pledge but one, given the progress we have seen in the NHS over the last eight years and the commitment of NHS staff, I believe we can meet".

Saying that Labour had already made progress on tackling cancer, the prime minister added that breast cancer was the most common cancer in women and the second biggest cancer killer.

"Since we published Britain's first ever national cancer plan, we now have among the fastest improving cancer services in the whole of Europe," he said.

"Cancer deaths are down by over 12 per cent - and that's saving some 33,000 lives a year."

Conservative policy

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley has said that his party's plans to create five new children's hospitals would form part of a £300m review of paediatric services in the NHS.

"After the election, we will initiate a review on the future configuration of children's health services," he said.

"Particular emphasis will be on how paediatric hospital services can maximise the contribution they make to the development of children's health services which are integrated and responsive to children's needs.

"Of particular importance will be to assess how children's hospitals can take responsibility for the whole patient pathway for children, with services reaching out into the community to support primary care with their specialist expertise."

Lansley said there had been an 18 per cent reduction in paediatric intensive care beds, while the Royal College of Surgeons had warned that the NHS was facing a shortage of paediatric surgeons.

The Conservatives would aim to recruit more specialist paediatric staff, he said.

Funding row

Continuing the debate on the health service, Labour has also accused the Conservatives of planning to reduce the funds available to the NHS.

Blair said their proposal was "to take money out of the NHS and subsidise half the cost of private sector operations".

But Michael Howard hit back, saying he was prepared to support a Labour petition calling for the NHS to be kept "free".

The Tory leader said his party was opposed to introducing charges for operations.

"We are totally opposed to the introduction of charges for operations," he said.

"I actually have here the petition I understand Labour have launched.

"It says: 'We the undersigned are totally opposed to the introduction of charges for operations'.

"So am I and I am very happy to sign that petition."