Tory NHS plan not fit for purpose

The Health Foundation has just published a report which criticises the Conservative Government's long term plan for the NHS as being jeopardised by a lack of funding and rising demand.

Newcastle Liberal Democrats Health Spokesperson Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, who chairs the Health Scrutiny Committee said:

"It is unsurprising to see more voices joining the criticisms of the Tory Government's supposed 'long term plan' for the NHS. The strategy, which fails to account for the critical staffing shortages in our health service, does not deserve to be seen as a credible proposal let alone be called a 'long term plan'.

"Rather than cutting prevention services and ignoring social care as the Tories have, the Liberal Democrats would put 1p in income tax to inject £6 billion into our health service, as well as implement a national workforce strategy to tackle the staffing crisis.

"Our NHS saves thousands of lives, day in day out. But as the Conservatives continue to ignore the struggles of our doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to meet the rising demand against the backdrop of Tory cuts, patients are being put at risk.

"Patients deserve better and the Liberal Democrats demand better. The Conservative Government's plan for the NHS is not fit for purpose."