Menu
04/01/2006
Cameron stresses commitment to ‘free’ NHS
Conservative leader David Cameron has stressed his commitment to maintain a National Health Service that is free at the point of need, under a Tory government.
Speaking at the King’s Fund in central London, Mr Cameron confirmed that he had scrapped the party’s previous policy of introducing ‘patients passports’ and said that he would never agree to convert the health service into an insurance-based system.
Under the ‘patients passports’ scheme, patients who opted out of using NHS services in favour of private healthcare would have their treatment subsidised.
Mr Cameron said: “Under a Conservative government, the NHS will remain free at the point of need and available to everyone, regardless of how much money they have in the bank.
“Some people think that we Conservatives want to change the NHS into something that it isn’t. Well, they’re right. We do. We want to change the NHS into a more efficient, more effective and more patient-centred service. We want to change it into something of which we can be even more proud.”
However, while he acknowledged that some Conservatives wanted him to go further and pledge that a future Tory government would transform the NHS into a system based on medical insurance, he said that he would “never go down that route”.
The Conservative leader also accused both Labour and Conservative politicians of losing sight of the basic purpose and values of the NHS in the past. He said: "The left have spent too much time trying to get the private sector out of the NHS and the right have spent too much time trying to get people out of the NHS and into the private sector.
Mr Cameron said that both were flawed. "The NHS should be neither a state monopoly, nor something charitable or demeaning," Mr Cameron said.
However, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Steve Webb accused Mr Cameron of coming up with “headline grabbing words that lack detail and deliver mixed messages.”
He said: “It is difficult to believe that he is committed to full scale reform when only ten months ago, he wrote the Conservative manifesto that advocated the introduction of patient passports.
“People will not easily forget the years of damage the Conservatives inflicted on the NHS and will be hard pressed to believe that the Tories have changed more than just their presentation.”
(KMcA)
Speaking at the King’s Fund in central London, Mr Cameron confirmed that he had scrapped the party’s previous policy of introducing ‘patients passports’ and said that he would never agree to convert the health service into an insurance-based system.
Under the ‘patients passports’ scheme, patients who opted out of using NHS services in favour of private healthcare would have their treatment subsidised.
Mr Cameron said: “Under a Conservative government, the NHS will remain free at the point of need and available to everyone, regardless of how much money they have in the bank.
“Some people think that we Conservatives want to change the NHS into something that it isn’t. Well, they’re right. We do. We want to change the NHS into a more efficient, more effective and more patient-centred service. We want to change it into something of which we can be even more proud.”
However, while he acknowledged that some Conservatives wanted him to go further and pledge that a future Tory government would transform the NHS into a system based on medical insurance, he said that he would “never go down that route”.
The Conservative leader also accused both Labour and Conservative politicians of losing sight of the basic purpose and values of the NHS in the past. He said: "The left have spent too much time trying to get the private sector out of the NHS and the right have spent too much time trying to get people out of the NHS and into the private sector.
Mr Cameron said that both were flawed. "The NHS should be neither a state monopoly, nor something charitable or demeaning," Mr Cameron said.
However, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Steve Webb accused Mr Cameron of coming up with “headline grabbing words that lack detail and deliver mixed messages.”
He said: “It is difficult to believe that he is committed to full scale reform when only ten months ago, he wrote the Conservative manifesto that advocated the introduction of patient passports.
“People will not easily forget the years of damage the Conservatives inflicted on the NHS and will be hard pressed to believe that the Tories have changed more than just their presentation.”
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
21 August 2006
'More female MPs' for Conservatives
Conservative leader David Cameron has announced plans to increase the number of female parliamentary candidates in the party. Under the new arrangements, two of the final four candidates short-listed for each constituency will have to be women.
'More female MPs' for Conservatives
Conservative leader David Cameron has announced plans to increase the number of female parliamentary candidates in the party. Under the new arrangements, two of the final four candidates short-listed for each constituency will have to be women.
04 October 2006
'NHS safe in Conservative hands' - Cameron
David Cameron has pledged that the NHS will be "safe in Conservative hands," if the party gets back into power at the next election. Speaking at the end of the party's conference in Bournemouth, Mr Cameron said that he intended to make the NHS "a key priority" and vowed never to cut its funding, while ensuring that the money was "better spent".
'NHS safe in Conservative hands' - Cameron
David Cameron has pledged that the NHS will be "safe in Conservative hands," if the party gets back into power at the next election. Speaking at the end of the party's conference in Bournemouth, Mr Cameron said that he intended to make the NHS "a key priority" and vowed never to cut its funding, while ensuring that the money was "better spent".
23 September 2004
NHS recruitment drive to focus on over 50s
A new nationwide drive to recruit NHS staff, which will focus for the first time on the over 50s, has been was launched today. NHS Job Shop Day comprises of 220 events taking place around the country on or around 23 September. Around 150 Jobcentres across England will also be holding special NHS events on 23 September as part of NHS Job Shop Day.
NHS recruitment drive to focus on over 50s
A new nationwide drive to recruit NHS staff, which will focus for the first time on the over 50s, has been was launched today. NHS Job Shop Day comprises of 220 events taking place around the country on or around 23 September. Around 150 Jobcentres across England will also be holding special NHS events on 23 September as part of NHS Job Shop Day.
24 March 2011
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
