20/01/2005

Kennedy outlines Liberal Democrat's plans for health

Liberal Democrats leader, Charles Kennedy, has delivered a speech, outlining his new health policy.

Speaking to Liberal Democrat activists at Westminister, Mr Kennedy said that the main priority of the policy was to get rid of 'hidden' waiting lists. The Lib Dem leader said that research conducted by his party has shown that some people are waiting up to a year for scans and tests. He claimed that the problem remained hidden because data is not collected on these waiting lists. He said: "The big problem with centrally imposed political targets is that what gets measured gets done. But as hospitals are forced to meet a target to reduce maximum waiting times, the result is other patients wait longer."

Mr Kennedy said that a Liberal Democrat government would make this issue "a very high priority indeed", adding: "It should be the policy of any party dedicated to our 'national health' to ensure that illnesses are diagnosed by the quickest route possible so that treatment can start soonest."

In his speech, Mr Kennedy also outlined plans to create a quality local NHS, which would not be forced to meet strict government targets.

He said: "The priority for rebuilding the health of the NHS, and rebuilding the health of the nation, is not a matter of resources alone. It means doing things differently. Labour's instinctive statism and targets are retarding the ability of NHS Trusts to deliver services tailored to meet local needs."

Mr Kennedy said that he recognised that government had to retain overall responsibility for setting the broad framework for the NHS, but said that it should not define national targets that create such "distortions".

He said that a Liberal Democrat government would slim down central government functions, abolish Strategic Health Authorities and reduce the number of bodies which inspect and monitor NHS organisation. He said: "Reformed, reinvigorated local government would have the mandate to determine health priorities: councillors identifying the health needs of local people and commissioning services that meet those needs."

The Liberal Democrat leader's other healthcare plans included: free personal care for the elderly; a recruitment boost and an improvement in the retention of healthcare staff and a preventive health agenda, including free eye and dental checks.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 September 2005
Kennedy rounds on 'occupation' of Iraq
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has described the "occupation" of Iraq as a "continuing nightmare". Addressing the Lib Dem conference in Blackpool, Mr Kennedy said: "Along with President Bush, Tony Blair’s so-called ‘war on terror’ has been so badly implemented that it has actually boosted the terror threat not diminished it.
14 March 2005
Lib Dems announce plans to cut 'unfair' health charges
Free eye and dental checks and an independent review of prescription charges have been pledged by the Liberal Democrats as they unveiled their health policy package. The party's policy also includes plans to tackle diagnostic waiting times, which they have described as "Labour's hidden waiting lists".
28 April 2004
Blair defends coalition forces 'right to defence'
During Prime Minister's question time today, Tony Blair fielded questions on the deteriorating situation in Iraq and defended American forces' right to defend themselves against insurgents. Mr Blair told the House it was "perfectly right and proper" for US forces fired upon in Falluja to "take action against those insurgents".
26 April 2005
Veteran labour MP defects to Lib Dems
Veteran Labour MP Brian Sedgemore has announced his defection to the Liberal Democrats. Mr Sedgemore, who was Labour’s MP for Luton West from 1974 – 1979 and for Hackney South & Shoreditch from 1983, described New Labour as “dead” and urged voters to give Prime Minister Tony Blair “a bloody nose” at the election by voting for the Liberal Democrats.
14 April 2005
Liberal Democrats launch manifesto for a fairer Britain
The Liberal Democrats have launched their election manifesto, promising “dignity for older people, real opportunity for our children and a fair deal for families”. Declaring his party the “real alternative”, Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy laid out the party’s priorities for the election campaign.