We must not allow the Tories to put this progress at risk - Burnham
Andy Burnham MP, Labours Health Secretary responding to todays report by the Nuffield Trust said:"Today's report shows just how well the NHS is doing in England on waiting times, treatments and productivity.
"It's a real tribute to the hard work and dedication of NHS staff and to Labour's investment and reform over the last decade. Our relentless focus on getting waiting times down has really delivered for patients because behind these figures are thousands of lives saved, and thousands of families who have benefited from faster, more effective treatment.
"We must not allow the Tories to put this progress at risk. It is the Tory party which promises to scrap Labour's cancer guarantee that you will see a specialist within two weeks of GP referral. It is the Tory party who say they will get rid of all your waiting time guarantees.
"It's simple and clear - David Cameron does not understand what matters to NHS patients."
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"Some of the differences and trends may be because of the historical differences in funding levels, which are not directly related to policies implemented after devolution. But some will reflect the different policies pursued by each of the four nations since 1999, in particular the greater pressure put on NHS bodies in England to improve performance in a few key areas such as waiting and efficiency, via targets, strong performance management, public reporting of performance by regulators, and financial incentives."
Dr Jennifer Dixon, Director of the Nuffield Trust, press release, 20 January 2010, http://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/pressarea/?id=777
2. Labours tough targets have improved quality standards across the NHS and brought waiting lists down. When Labour came to power in 1997, 284,000 patients were waiting over six months for inpatient treatment. Now, Labour can guarantee:
You will see a specialist within two weeks of GP referral for suspected cancer.
You will not have to wait more than 18 weeks for your operation.
You will be seen within four hours in A & E.
3. The Conservatives say they would scrap all of Labours tough targets and patient guarantees.
"Top-down command and control must go.
"Let us be absolutely clear.
"We will abolish Labours political targets...
"We will focus on results.
"One year and five year cancer survival rates at least as good as any in Europe. Not just a two-week referral to a cancer specialist."
Andrew Lansley, speech to Conservative Party Conference, 5 October 2009
Sarah Montague: So a target that they are in the process of introducing which is that by the end of this year no-one will be waiting longer than 18 weeks from GP referral to hospital treatment, youd get rid of that?
David Cameron: We think these process targets are wrong.
BBC Radio 4, Today, 3 January 2008
"We will scrap all centrally-imposed targets relating to clinical processes, and replace them with a new focus on outcomes."
Conservative Party, "The patient will see you now, doctor: How the next Conservative Government will create an NHS personal to all", 29 September 2007, p. 4
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