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Recognise NHS success, says Blair Recognise NHS success, says Blair
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Blair has urged critics to recognise the successes that 10 years of Labour NHS reforms have achieved. Tony Blair has acknowledged the difficulties of National Health Service reform over the past 10 years, but believes the changes will endure.
Two days after junior doctors called for Patricia Hewitt to resign, Mr Blair appeared with the health secretary to present reports on progress. He highlighted shorter waiting lists, big investment in staff and new or planned hospitals as proof of success.
He pointed to shorter waiting lists, big investment in staff and 154 new or planned hospitals as proof of success. "I can't see that basic framework being changed because ultimately the patients will take these reforms as being right," he said.
But both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives say Mr Blair has presided over 10 wasted years. But both the Lib Dems and the Tories say the 10 years have been wasted.
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. Mr Blair was addressing a medical audience two days after junior doctors called for Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to resign.
On Saturday, the British Medical Association's junior doctors conference called the online Medical Training Application Service for doctors' jobs "shambolic".
Strike threatStrike 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 In respect of the reforms, it's true to say that in the first two or three years we didn't push forward fast enough some of the reform agenda Tony Blair
On Monday the prime minister presented reports on progress in four areas - cardiac care, cancer treatment, emergency services and mental health. On Monday the prime minister said cardiac care, cancer treatment, emergency services and mental health services had all improved during the past decade.
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.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. "I personally think that the concept of a less, or non, monolithic system of healthcare, greater competition, greater patient choice, I believe those reforms and that framework will stay in place.
"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." "I can't see any government turning their back on that."
He also said patients' experiences of the NHS were "immensely more positive".
He added: "That said, there are real challenges that remain. I think there are things we have got wrong as well as got right.
"In respect of the reforms, it's true to say that in the first two or three years we didn't push forward fast enough some of the reform agenda."
'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. 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.