NHS in 2008
Thursday, 03 Jan 2008 10:47
The NHS has been launched onto the political battleground
As the new year begins the NHS is emerging as one of the key political issues, with politicians setting forth their goals for the health service.
With the NHS celebrating its 60th anniversary this year the Conservatives have pledged to be the party of the NHS, taking a title associated with the Labour party during the past six decades.
Gordon Brown meanwhile kicked off the year with a letter promising to keep the NHS at the top of the government's agenda in 2008.
Both Labour and the Conservatives have seized on the issue of hospital-acquired infections (HCAIs) as a key battleground issue, with the former promising a focus on reducing infections and the latter proposing fines for hospitals which fail to prevent HCAIs.
Although health campaigners have questioned aspects of the parties' health policies, they have welcomed the renewed focus on the NHS.
"In this jubilee year, we must resist the urge to tinker with further structural changes and concentrate on ensuring excellent technical treatment is twinned with responsive care tailored to individual needs and experience," commented Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations.
inthenews.co.uk brings you all the key responses and comment on the issue throughout the day.
