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Tory NHS spend 'more than Labour' Tory NHS spend 'more than Labour'
(about 1 hour later)
Conservatives have promised to spend more on the Welsh NHS than Labour as they launched an assembly election campaign against health cuts.Conservatives have promised to spend more on the Welsh NHS than Labour as they launched an assembly election campaign against health cuts.
Tory group assembly leader Nick Bourne pledged extra cash for medicines, ambulances, dentists and hospices.Tory group assembly leader Nick Bourne pledged extra cash for medicines, ambulances, dentists and hospices.
An advertising van with the slogan 'Stop Labour's NHS cuts' will tour areas the Conservatives claim are threatened with losing local services.An advertising van with the slogan 'Stop Labour's NHS cuts' will tour areas the Conservatives claim are threatened with losing local services.
But Labour accused the Tories of being committed to privatisation and cuts.But Labour accused the Tories of being committed to privatisation and cuts.
"We are committed to spending more than Labour," said Mr Bourne."We are committed to spending more than Labour," said Mr Bourne.
The Welsh Conservative manifesto states that all its spending commitments would be funded by "reallocating 1% of existing Welsh Assembly Government budgets".The Welsh Conservative manifesto states that all its spending commitments would be funded by "reallocating 1% of existing Welsh Assembly Government budgets".
The party's spending plans include an extra £100m over the next four years for "modern medicines to end the postcode lottery".The party's spending plans include an extra £100m over the next four years for "modern medicines to end the postcode lottery".
The Tories are also committed to raising core funding for hospices from £2m to £12m year.The Tories are also committed to raising core funding for hospices from £2m to £12m year.
In all parts of Wales people are switching to us, and directly from Labour Nick Bourne, ConservativeIn all parts of Wales people are switching to us, and directly from Labour Nick Bourne, Conservative
Party health spokesman Jonathan Morgan told a news conference at Cardiff City Hall that the NHS had "not developed into the world-class public service the people of Wales were promised".
He said hospital waiting times were "far higher" than in 1999, local hospital services had faced cuts and "bureaucrats employed at a faster rate than clinicians, nurses and ancillary staff in the NHS".
Conservatives, who held 11 of the 60 seats in the last assembly, said they would scrap the 22 local health boards and introduce an all-Wales body to commission NHS services.Conservatives, who held 11 of the 60 seats in the last assembly, said they would scrap the 22 local health boards and introduce an all-Wales body to commission NHS services.
Trusts would be encouraged to seek foundation hospital status, along English lines, to give them more financial autonomy.Trusts would be encouraged to seek foundation hospital status, along English lines, to give them more financial autonomy.
'Proper dialogue''Proper dialogue'
The party also said it would also stop the hospital re-organisation process and hold a "proper dialogue with local people and clinicians" about the shape of local NHS services.The party also said it would also stop the hospital re-organisation process and hold a "proper dialogue with local people and clinicians" about the shape of local NHS services.
Conservatives said they were confident making the NHS their number one issue was strengthening their campaign.Conservatives said they were confident making the NHS their number one issue was strengthening their campaign.
"We're finding that in all parts of Wales people are switching to us, and directly from Labour which is, if not unprecedented, I don't think it has happened in the way it is happening now since 1979 and it really is exceptionally good news for us," said Mr Bourne"We're finding that in all parts of Wales people are switching to us, and directly from Labour which is, if not unprecedented, I don't think it has happened in the way it is happening now since 1979 and it really is exceptionally good news for us," said Mr Bourne
Labour health spokesman Brian Gibbons, assembly government health minister for the past two years, said the Conservatives were offering "yet more spin and no substance".Labour health spokesman Brian Gibbons, assembly government health minister for the past two years, said the Conservatives were offering "yet more spin and no substance".
He said: "This election is a straight fight between Labour, committed to record investment in our health service and eliminating long waits for hospital operations, and a Tory-led coalition, committed to privatisation and cuts.He said: "This election is a straight fight between Labour, committed to record investment in our health service and eliminating long waits for hospital operations, and a Tory-led coalition, committed to privatisation and cuts.
"A 1% efficiency saving has already been made across the public services in Wales and the money allocated - the Tories can't spend it twice.""A 1% efficiency saving has already been made across the public services in Wales and the money allocated - the Tories can't spend it twice."
'Administrative mess''Administrative mess'
The Liberal Democrats said the Conservatives were "trying to look two ways at once".The Liberal Democrats said the Conservatives were "trying to look two ways at once".
Lib Dem election campaign chair Jenny Willott said: "Where they get it wrong, they try to extend Blair's legacy in Wales through foundation hospitals and internal competition.Lib Dem election campaign chair Jenny Willott said: "Where they get it wrong, they try to extend Blair's legacy in Wales through foundation hospitals and internal competition.
"Where they say the right things they've just taken on board Welsh Lib Dem ideas.""Where they say the right things they've just taken on board Welsh Lib Dem ideas."
Plaid Cymru warned Welsh voters not to trust the Conservatives with the NHS.Plaid Cymru warned Welsh voters not to trust the Conservatives with the NHS.
Plaid health spokesperson Helen Mary Jones said: "The people of Wales will never forget the Tory legacy of the internal market and the increasing use of profit making organisations in the NHS which New Labour have continued.Plaid health spokesperson Helen Mary Jones said: "The people of Wales will never forget the Tory legacy of the internal market and the increasing use of profit making organisations in the NHS which New Labour have continued.
"It is the failure of these right wing policies that has landed the NHS in the administrative mess we see today.""It is the failure of these right wing policies that has landed the NHS in the administrative mess we see today."