Reid's 5 Year Plan: Another 5 Years Of Targets and Tickboxes for the NHS

12.17.17pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 24th Jun 2004

Labour's 5 year plan for the NHS is just another 5 years of targets and tick boxes, the Liberal Democrats said today.

Commenting on today's announcement from Health Secretary John Reid, outlining Labour's plans for the NHS, Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:

"Labour's 5 year plan for the NHS is just another 5 years of targets and tick boxes tying the hands of doctors and nurses.

"These new targets show that the Government does not trust NHS staff to do their job and exercise their own skill and judgement to treat the sickest quickest.

"People should have a real say about their healthcare but when people fall ill what they want is timely diagnosis and fast treatment close to home."