UK
Labour's approach to Healthcare in UK
By Labour Party, UK
Apr 11, 2005, 19:53

Labour is the party of equality and social justice. We believe that healthy citizens who are well-informed about their own health (and the choices that affect their wellbeing) and a National Health Service that is publicly funded, free at the point of need with equal access for everyone, irrespective of their wealth are prerequisites for the fairer society we are working towards.

Key points

� Cancer deaths have fallen by 12 per cent and deaths from heart disease are down by 27 per cent.
� Hospital waiting lists in England down more than a third (35 per cent) from their peak in 1998 to the smallest since 1987.
� By December 2005 it will be routine for patients to choose the hospital at which they receive their treatment.
� Labour has put in place the biggest ever hospital building programme � 100 new hospitals by 2010.
� Patient satisfaction levels are high - surveys show high patient satisfaction with hospital, ambulance, mental health and primary care services.
� Labour is investing more money in the NHS than ever before. By 2008, total UK health spending will be 9.4 per cent of national income, well above the current EU average of 8 per cent.

Our approach

In 1948 Labour created the National Health Service and today Labour in government is investing in and reforming the NHS to create a health service fit for the needs of 21st century Britain. The NHS we inherited in 1997 was on its knees. It lacked sufficient hospital beds, staff, buildings and equipment. IT systems were out of date and too few people were being treated. Years of chronic Tory underinvestment in the NHS had taken their toll. Today we are creating a better, faster, more convenient service for patients that is fair to all and personal to each. There is still much to do but our programme of record investment and radical reform is bringing about real improvements to the service.

What we have achieved

� Tackling cancer and heart disease, our biggest killers: Ninety-nine per cent of people with suspected cancer are seen by a specialist within two weeks of referral; 975 extra cancer consultants since 1999 (up 29 per cent).
� More staff: 100,000 more doctors and more nurses since 1997.
� Less waiting: More than 99 per cent of people can now see a GP within 48 hours; More than 96 per cent of patients now spend less than four hours in A&E.

All rights reserved by www.rxpgnews.com