All hospitals must be freed from Whitehall shackles

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 16th Sep 2004

Patients would get better services tailored to their needs under new proposals to free all hospitals from Whitehall, launched by the Liberal Democrats today.

The new policy paper introduces a whole raft of measures aimed at putting patients in the driving seat, and freeing up frontline NHS staff from Whitehall control. The paper also outlines a holistic approach to the nation's health that treats prevention just as seriously as cure - tackling the causes of illness and encouraging a more healthy society.

The proposals include:

• PATIENTS IN CONTROL - Patients will be put in greater control of their health and their healthcare. People with long term diseases like MS will be given more control over what treatment they want from the NHS. Busy shoppers will be able to choose healthier options through the introduction of clear labels on packaged foods.

• TACKLING THE 'MICROWAVE GENERATION' - Children will be given the opportunity to get into healthy habits at a young age. The school curriculum will teach nutrition, cooking skills and pupils will have more opportunities for exercise in the school week.

• SCRAPPING TARGETS - Under the proposals, doctors and nurses will be freed up to treat patients more effectively by scrapping the one-size fits all targets forced upon them by Government.

• LOCAL HEALTH FIRST - Health priorities and services will be decided by local people through their local council. This will make the NHS more responsive to local needs.

• FREE PERSONAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY - No-one should be forced to pay for their personal care.

• DEVELOPING A HEALTH MOT - Researching cost effective tests so people know when they have to act to control high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, for example.

• HONEST AND TRANSPARENT FUNDING - Ending the boom and bust in NHS funding through an earmarked "National Health Contribution" that would replace current National Insurance.

Launching the policy Charles Kennedy MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

"The Government has tried to control the NHS from Whitehall. This policy is about freeing front line staff to get on with treating patients and freeing patients to manage their own health.

"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.

"For all the talk about patient choice, what people want is quality healthcare on their doorstep."

Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:

"This policy will provide a quality NHS, delivered locally and available to everyone.

"Doctors and nurses are kept in a straightjacket of targets and tick boxes which prevents them from offering the best care to patients. It's time Whitehall got off the backs of frontline NHS staff and let them get on with the job they were trained for.

"All patients should be in the driving seat of their own healthcare. Whether it be having a say in their treatment or being able to make decisions on healthy eating based on proper labeling, people should be in control."