Healthcare: Parties vying for upper hand

The Liberal Democrats have set out their plans to improve healthcare and reform the NHS.

Health spokesman Paul Burstow rejected the emphasis on 'choice' by Labour and the Conservatives.

Instead, the Lib Dems say that good quality local services are what the public really wants.

The party is also claiming the mantle of Beveridge by calling for free eye and dental checks, because it believes "prevention is better than cure".

Burstow and deputy leader Sir Menzies Campbell highlighted the flagship Lib Dem policy of free personal care for the elderly, which has already been introduced in Scotland where the party is in coalition government.

"The principle is that personal care that is free in a hospital should be free at home or in a residential home," Sir Menzies said.

The Lib Dems have also earmarked a further £225m for an independent review of prescription charges, with the aim of extending exemptions to more people living with long-term conditions.

Fairness

Burstow said the party wanted fewer, fairer and updated charges, pointing out that the current exemptions system was drawn up in 1968.

"Currently every year 100,000 people in this country, possibly more than that, are discouraged by prescription charges from taking the medicines they need.

"Either they reduce the dosage they take or they don't get all the drugs they need," Burstow said.
 
"Medicine has moved on hugely since then and it is about time the rules caught up with the progress of medicine."

The party also wants to focus on plans to "free doctors and nurses from Whitehall meddling" in order to provide quicker diagnosis.

And cleaner hospitals are promised to fight the MRSA 'superbug', along with more emphasis on preventative measures.

A 'health MOT' will allow for individualised healthcare, with the aim of keeping more people from falling ill in the first place.

"Liberal Democrats believe the principles of the National Health Service are as relevant today as they were when it was first founded," said Sir Menzies.

"A universal service, a common good funded through general taxation, delivering health care to all citizens based on need, not on what a person can afford, and free at the point of delivery.

"It's time to reinvigorate the founding principles of fairness in the NHS."

And Burstow added: "If people want a fairer NHS there is a real alternative. Only the Liberal Democrats have the costed plans for free personal care, free eye and dental checks, and fewer prescription charges."