Government funding statement a recipe for yet more Whitehall controls

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Feb 2005

Responding to John Reid's statement today on NHS funding allocations for the next three years, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Paul Burstow MP, said:

"This extra funding for the NHS is extremely welcome. But it is essential that this money is spent wisely. This Government's central command and control approach will not provide value for money.

"The Government has had eight years to cut the hidden waiting times for scans and tests. By setting eye-catching, rigid targets for treatment waiting times, Ministers have been content to let people suffer on hidden waiting lists.

"The Liberal Democrats will support the NHS to offer patients diagnosis by the quickest practical route, so their NHS treatment is not unnecessarily delayed.

"It is clear that the Government's addiction to controlling the NHS from Whitehall means more political targets, more prescriptive contracts with the private sector and more bullying of NHS staff."