We are here today to set out for you the new Liberal Democrat proposals for a healthy Britain and an effective National Health Service.
And we are here today to say that our vision encompasses much more than simply the reform of the structures that govern our health services.
While the other political parties engage in a narrow debate about patient choice, we Liberal Democrats are thinking much wider.
We see the health debate not only in terms of the delivery of quality health services available locally, but also in terms of improving the health of the nation - giving people the support and information needed to tackle the causes of ill health, to help prevent them getting sick in the first place.
On a point of principle, we remain committed to the NHS. The core values of the NHS are as relevant today as ever. A service based on a person’s needs not on how much they can afford. A service free at the point of delivery. A common good funded through the tax system.
Our National Health Service is often compared with other health services around Europe, and is often found wanting.
But the common denominator in these cases is not the system of funding, but rather at what level funding has been sustained over the long term.
The Liberal Democrats have won the argument for greater investment in the health service. The task now is to lock in and secure the benefits of the investment of our taxpayers with a clear commitment to a sustainable and secure funding.
Our earmarked ‘National Health Contribution’ - replacing National Insurance - dedicated to health spending makes perfect sense for the NHS. A single tax for the single service. Increasing accountability and transparency.
This is a tax change not a tax rise. It does not require any increase in national insurance contributions to meet the current plans to fund the NHS, which we believe are sufficient to drive through the improvements required.
The second step in reform is to ensure that local people have control of their health services by giving local councils the task of setting priorities and commissioning services in response to local health care needs.
And this also means liberating NHS staff from the Whitehall target and tickbox culture that is stifling innovation and undermining the ability of professionals to use their own judgement.
We would scrap one-size-fits all targets in favour of local control that meets the needs of local people so that NHS staff can get on with their jobs and concentrate on treating patients.
The third step is to ensure that people are given control over their own health care and over their own lifestyles.
All people should be involved in decisions about their treatment, not just the rich or the most articulate.
This means not only control over the management of their illness, but working to help people manage their lives in a healthy way.
This is not about a nanny state, this is about making sure people know the risks associated with the way they live their lives and can act to live more healthily.
A clear system of labelling to give shoppers back control over the foods they eat.
Developing a Health MOT, so that people are called in for tests when necessary so people know when they have to act to control say, high blood pressure, or cholesterol levels.
Tackling the root causes of ill health such as poor housing and fuel poverty so that those on lower incomes can have control over their health.
Giving people control over their own health care is part of the Liberal Democrats commitment to the power of the individual and opportunity for all.
But this goes hand in hand with our unshakable commitment to providing a quality national health service, delivered locally and available for all.
ENDS
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