Today we are focusing on a specific aspect of health policy - our determination to see an end to Labour’s hidden NHS waiting lists.
Our commitment is to the forgotten people in the NHS system – those languishing on the hidden waiting lists that the Labour Government doesn’t even bother to measure.
At present, the Government only measures the time taken from when you are diagnosed with an illness until you are actually treated.
These targeted waiting times are indeed being reduced.
But those on the hidden waiting lists – those waiting for tests and scans to find out what is wrong with them – have seen no action.
It’s quite a simple scenario to sketch out.
You haven’t been feeling well for a while.
Finally you go to the doctor to find out what’s wrong –
And he or she thinks it may be serious.
What happens is you join the hidden list of people who are suffering long worrying waits before they actually get a diagnosis.
New research that we publish today suggests that in more than two out of five NHS trusts, patients are waiting six months or more for MRI scans. These test for brain tumours, cancers and serious heart conditions.
And in 1 in 5 trusts patients are waiting over a year.
This situation is replicated for people waiting for all kinds of scans and tests across the NHS.
We had to do this research ourselves because the Government has failed to measure these ‘hidden waits’.
But what it also shows is how Government targets for treatment waits have distorted priorities.
Those patients covered by targets get preferential treatment so that hospitals can meet the commitments set centrally in Whitehall.
The rest suffer.
This situation is totally unacceptable.
Cutting waiting times for diagnosis will be a top priority for a Liberal Democrat Government.
As a first step, the Liberal Democrats promise to publish the whole waiting time for diagnosis and treatment, so people can clearly see how long they may have to wait.
Then, over a parliament, we will allocate to Primary Care Trusts an extra £350m over and above Government plans, making a total of £1.35bn. This would be used to cut waiting times locally by recruiting more staff, working differently.
It would streamline their organisation and ensure better use of expensive scanning machines with less time standing idle.
In some areas there will be scope for diagnostics to be efficiently carried out by contracts with the private sector. In others, the funds will be better used to bring existing NHS services up to capacity.
What we will not do is insist that these decisions are taken centrally. That is exactly what we oppose in the current government approach to the NHS.
We are determined to allow for local flexibility to account for local circumstances.
The health service consistently comes at the top of people’s priorities.
Our vision is clear.
To create a modern, efficient and effective health service properly staffed and securely funded.
A health service where people get their first choice of quality healthcare close to home.
A health service true to its founding ideals, in tune with today’s needs.
A health service where the patient always comes first.
ENDS
Return to April Articles & Speeches.
Return to Articles & Speeches.