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Recognise NHS success, says Blair | Recognise NHS success, says Blair |
(30 minutes later) | |
Tony Blair has urged critics to recognise the successes that 10 years of Labour NHS reforms have achieved. | |
Two days after junior doctors called for Patricia Hewitt to resign, Mr Blair appeared with the health secretary to present reports on progress. | |
He pointed to shorter waiting lists, big investment in staff and 154 new or planned hospitals as proof of success. | |
But both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives say Mr Blair has presided over 10 wasted years. | But both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives say Mr Blair has presided over 10 wasted years. |
On Saturday, the British Medical Association's junior doctors conference called for Ms Hewitt's resignation, over its "shambolic" online Medical Training Application Service for doctors' jobs. | On Saturday, the British Medical Association's junior doctors conference called for Ms Hewitt's resignation, over its "shambolic" online Medical Training Application Service for doctors' jobs. |
Strike threat | Strike threat |
Health workers are also threatening to strike over a decision to stagger a 2.5% pay rise. | Health workers are also threatening to strike over a decision to stagger a 2.5% pay rise. |
We have ended the era of uniform, monolithic provision in the NHS Tony Blair | We have ended the era of uniform, monolithic provision in the NHS Tony Blair |
On Monday the prime minister presented reports on progress in four areas - cardiac care, cancer treatment, emergency services and mental health. | |
Mr Blair, who warned voters in 1997 they had "24 hours to save the NHS", used the event organised by the King's Fund think tank to set out why he feels he has been successful. | |
"Ten years on, high quality care on the NHS is no longer the preserve of the lucky or the well-connected but genuinely universal, still free at the point of use and focused on those who need it most," he said. | |
"We have ended the era of uniform, monolithic provision in the NHS. We have put new incentives into the system and devolved power to the front-line and communities to continue accelerating progress." | "We have ended the era of uniform, monolithic provision in the NHS. We have put new incentives into the system and devolved power to the front-line and communities to continue accelerating progress." |
'Circular journey' | 'Circular journey' |
But the Conservatives say, during Labour's time in power, the NHS has gone on a "circular and wasteful journey" back towards policies of the last Tory government. | But the Conservatives say, during Labour's time in power, the NHS has gone on a "circular and wasteful journey" back towards policies of the last Tory government. |
It will publish a rival report claiming there have been failures on issues like mixed-sex wards, hospital acquired infections and dentistry - as well as financial deficits. | It will publish a rival report claiming there have been failures on issues like mixed-sex wards, hospital acquired infections and dentistry - as well as financial deficits. |
Meanwhile, Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell will also say Labour's legacy will be one of "war and waste" - as he launches his own report into what he calls the greatest failings of the New Labour decade. | |
He will say, despite a promising start, that the government has been "deeply damaging" to Britain's interests. | He will say, despite a promising start, that the government has been "deeply damaging" to Britain's interests. |
This week marks the 10th anniversary of Labour's return to power, and will also see the local elections across England, as well at the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. | This week marks the 10th anniversary of Labour's return to power, and will also see the local elections across England, as well at the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly. |