Treatment not treats: An NHS for the 21st century (Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats)

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Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats <Brian.Thomas@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk>

Treatment not treats: An NHS for the 21st century

September 16, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

The NHS will not last another 60 years unless Wales comes to terms with the triple challenge of an aging population, ever more expensive treatments and rising expectations.

That's the warning from Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Jenny Randerson.Launching a consultative paper - A Health Service Fit for the Future - Mrs Randerson said:

"We have just celebrated 60 years of the NHS - and politicians of all parties are proud of the great role it plays in Welsh life. But the NHS will not survive the next 60 years if we do not face up to the triple challenge on the horizon. We are faced with an aging population, an escalating ability to cure disease and sustain life, and rising levels of expectation from the public.

"The Labour-Plaid government in Wales has put the emphasis on treats instead of treatment. While the Assembly continues to have a fixed budget, we need to focus on priorities and that means addressing some difficult questions.

"How much carrot and how much stick should we use to keep staff that have trained in Wales, working in Wales? "Should we move to a system of salaried GPs, or persist with the system where they are private contractors to the NHS?

"How do we encourage and empower people to keep themselves healthy and happy?" Mrs Randerson also believes that the NHS in Wales has missed out on millions of pounds of investment due to a failure to consider ways of bringing private and third sector money in to the NHS.

"Wales has lost out on tens of millions - possibly 100s of millions because there has been a reluctance to look at non-government money. Scotland, England and Northern Ireland have been able to lever in far more money from a whole range of sources.

"Ruling out Blairite PFI is fine; but you need to have an alternative plan. There is no evidence that the Labour-Plaid government has any plan to fill that gap."

Notes: The Consultation paper will be debated at Welsh Conference on October 12 in Swansea. A formal policy paper will emerge from that discussion, to be debated in the Spring.