Labour conference: Andy Burnham vows to scrap NHS market

[Northerner]

Andy Burnham will vow to reverse the "rapid" privatisation of NHS hospitals in England if Labour wins power.

The shadow health secretary will warn that some NHS hospitals are planning to double the number of private patients they treat under new freedoms.

In a speech to Labour's conference, he will say the coalition risks destroying the character of the NHS that David Cameron promised to protect.

Labour has not ruled out all competition to provide NHS services.

In the party's 2010 manifesto, it promised patients the right to go private if they were still waiting for an operation at 18 weeks and an "active role" for the independent sector in treating NHS patients.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19802234

 

[FergusC]

Don't want to sound cynical but the only politicians who can run the country well are those in opposition! Perhaps the country should be run by the party that loses the election (sorry that was the Lib-Dems / Conservatives) Or perhaps the real losers in any election are Us, the public, as the only time we matter to the politicians is when they want our votes!