Liberal Democrats announce real alternative for a fairer health service

2.50.20pm GMT Thu 17th Mar 2005

The Liberal Democrats will today (14th March) launch their new plans to cut unfair health charges - including providing free eye and dental checks, and conducting a thorough independent review of the prescription charge regime.

The announcement is part of the Liberal Democrats' comprehensive health policy package aimed at delivering a quality health service close to home by freeing front-line staff from Government meddling.

The Liberal Democrats will also reveal their plan to tackle diagnostic waiting times - Labour's "hidden waiting lists".

Launching the health manifesto, Charles Kennedy MP, Liberal Democrat Leader, will say:

"For the Liberal Democrats fairness is a priority. Many people with long term illnesses like Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis have to pay for their life saving drugs, while people with diabetes and epilepsy get them free.

"The current system means people on low incomes have to budget for their medicine - and often end up taking lower doses to save money. In the long-term this means increased costs for the NHS because, unchecked, their condition will get worse.

"We will undertake the first major independent review of prescription charges in a generation. Our aim will be a fairer system, with free prescriptions for more people with long term conditions. In our spending plans we have set aside £225 million to implement the recommendations of the review.

"We reject the Conservative mantra of false choice if it comes at the expense of real capacity in the NHS. Subsidising private operations for those who can already afford them is a policy for the few.

"My fear is that the Conservatives do not really believe in the founding principles of the NHS.

"The Liberal Democrats understand that people want quality local services close to home. That is the real alternative to Labour's micromanaged NHS."

On hidden waiting lists, Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, will say:

"As many as 500,000 people are languishing on hidden waiting lists in this country. But the Health Secretary has failed to publish these lists.

"Liberal Democrat research has found that in 2 out of 5 NHS Trusts people are waiting six months or more for a routine MRI scan. These are scans to confirm a cancer, a brain tumour, a heart condition.

"Labour's political targets are missing the point. It is because Liberal Democrats put patients first that we will tackle these hidden waiting times."