The NHS has returned to the top of the political agenda with a row over Conservative leaflets and a Labour petition.

Tony Blair on Saturday accused the Conservatives of seeking to "govern in the interests of a privileged few".

But shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley hit back, accusing the prime minister of having "lost touch".

Meanwhile, the Tories were forced to apologise after complaints about a party leaflet that exaggerated the number of MRSA cases at local hospitals.

In North Yorkshire, a leaflet sent to local residents said there had been 247 cases of the 'superbug' in a year at a local hospital, although in fact there had been just six.

The developments prompted an angry response from Labour.

"It is a nasty and unscrupulous campaign and it is descending into increasing desperation as time goes on," Blair said.

"They do not deserve to get away with the campaign being fought in this way."

Apology

The Conservatives apologised for the misprint, saying the leaflets would be reprinted.

"We sent out a letter and it referred to the MRSA rates in the 'local hospital trust' when it should have referred to the 'local hospital trusts'," said party leader Michael Howard.

"And that was a mistake and I'm very sorry we made that mistake.

"Mr Blair may be angry about the omission of a letter 's'. I'm angry about the 5,000 people who die every year from hospital-acquired infections in our country, that's what I'm angry about."

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said the leaflets were "frightening elderly people for no good reason".

"What Michael Howard should have said is that he apologises for doing nothing about MRSA during the 18 years of Tory government, for failing to bring back matrons and for forcing hospitals to contract out cleaning to the cheapest bidder in the first place," he added.

Petition

Out on the campaign trail the prime minister also launched a petition urging the public to register their opposition to Conservative policies.

"This is now the values election," Blair said.

"Labour values of security and opportunity for all Britain's hardworking families and pensioners.

"Or Conservative values to govern in the interests of a privileged few at the expense of the hard working majority."

He added: "Today, we launch the next stage in our fight for the NHS. A national petition to oppose the Tory plan to introduce charges for hospital operations.

"Between now and May 5 if people share our values they should sign our petition to oppose the Tory charges.

"And on May 5 if you value an improving, expanding health service, vote for it."

No charges

The Conservatives responded to the petition with a warning that Labour's policies were taking Britain in the wrong direction.

"Tony Blair has lost touch and does not want to talk about the issues that matter to the British people," said Lansley.

"Britain is heading in the wrong direction but there is a better way. 

"Mr Blair today launched a negative petition trying to undermine Conservative proposals for a better health service. This is because, after eight years in power Labour have nothing to offer to hard working families.

"The arguments put forward by Labour are wrong. There is no question of the Conservative Party introducing new charges into the NHS.

"No NHS patient will have to pay for their operation, therefore the basis on which Labour say our proposals are illegal is without foundation.

"The right to choose policy means that the NHS and private sectors would work together to cut Labour’s one million plus waiting lists faster.

"NHS patients will have the right to choose from any hospital that provides treatment at NHS standards and NHS cost. This treatment will be free."