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Parties clash over state of NHS | |
(about 23 hours later) | |
The Conservatives have clashed with the government over a report into the state of the NHS. | |
Labour has hailed a think tank's review of 11 health systems as evidence its health service reforms are working. | Labour has hailed a think tank's review of 11 health systems as evidence its health service reforms are working. |
The Commonwealth Fund report, based on a poll of more than 10,000 doctors, suggested the NHS compared favourably with services in other countries. | The Commonwealth Fund report, based on a poll of more than 10,000 doctors, suggested the NHS compared favourably with services in other countries. |
But the Tories said data on the numbers surviving disease showed the health service had got worse under Labour. | But the Tories said data on the numbers surviving disease showed the health service had got worse under Labour. |
The clash marks the start of the struggle by the two parties to portray themselves as the champion of the NHS in the lead up to the election. | The clash marks the start of the struggle by the two parties to portray themselves as the champion of the NHS in the lead up to the election. |
THE GOOD More than half of GPs say the quality of care has improved - the highest number in any country surveyedJust a fifth said patients faced long waits to see a specialist - the lowest figure from the 11 nationsNearly all reported using electronic records | THE GOOD More than half of GPs say the quality of care has improved - the highest number in any country surveyedJust a fifth said patients faced long waits to see a specialist - the lowest figure from the 11 nationsNearly all reported using electronic records |
The US-based Commonwealth Fund's review focuses on processes, such as waiting times and use of technology, which have come to define the government's approach over the past decade. | The US-based Commonwealth Fund's review focuses on processes, such as waiting times and use of technology, which have come to define the government's approach over the past decade. |
The Tory data - from the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development - covers outcomes, such as success in treating disease. | The Tory data - from the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development - covers outcomes, such as success in treating disease. |
The fund's report, which compared countries such as the US, Australia, France and Germany, showed GPs in the UK were the most likely to say their health service was improving - 51% did so. | The fund's report, which compared countries such as the US, Australia, France and Germany, showed GPs in the UK were the most likely to say their health service was improving - 51% did so. |
The UK also scored highly on access to specialist care, out-of-hours provision and use of electronic records. | The UK also scored highly on access to specialist care, out-of-hours provision and use of electronic records. |
Health Secretary Andy Burnham, who has gone to the US for the launch of the report, said: "This is an important moment for the NHS. | Health Secretary Andy Burnham, who has gone to the US for the launch of the report, said: "This is an important moment for the NHS. |
"The journey to overhaul the quality of care over the last 10 years has paid off." | "The journey to overhaul the quality of care over the last 10 years has paid off." |
And he added the Tories represented a "danger" to the NHS. | And he added the Tories represented a "danger" to the NHS. |
Worst | Worst |
But the Tories have countered by highlighting data published earlier this summer. | But the Tories have countered by highlighting data published earlier this summer. |
It showed that in terms of deaths from treatable disease, the UK had slipped from 9th to 10th in Europe. | It showed that in terms of deaths from treatable disease, the UK had slipped from 9th to 10th in Europe. |
It ranked in the worst quarter of European countries on deaths from breast cancer, while deaths from lung disease were 75% higher than the European average. | It ranked in the worst quarter of European countries on deaths from breast cancer, while deaths from lung disease were 75% higher than the European average. |
THE BAD Deaths from lung disease in the UK are 75% higher than the European averagePeople are more than twice as likely to die of a heart attack in the UK than in France, the best performing European nation for heart careThe UK ranks in the bottom 25% of European countries for survival rates from breast cancer | THE BAD Deaths from lung disease in the UK are 75% higher than the European averagePeople are more than twice as likely to die of a heart attack in the UK than in France, the best performing European nation for heart careThe UK ranks in the bottom 25% of European countries for survival rates from breast cancer |
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Labour have trebled the amount we spend on the NHS, but these figures show that they have failed to get taxpayers a good return for their investment. | Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Labour have trebled the amount we spend on the NHS, but these figures show that they have failed to get taxpayers a good return for their investment. |
"That means lives lost prematurely and avoidably." | "That means lives lost prematurely and avoidably." |
And Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "While Andy Burnham may try to spin these figures as a great triumph, he cannot ignore the fact that the UK remains behind much of the developed world when it comes to cancer and stroke survival rates, we have a spiralling public health crisis and health inequalities are getting worse." | |
Nigel Edwards, of the NHS Confederation - which represents managers - said the NHS had been making great strides, but added there were still areas, such as cancer treatment, where there was "still some way to go". | Nigel Edwards, of the NHS Confederation - which represents managers - said the NHS had been making great strides, but added there were still areas, such as cancer treatment, where there was "still some way to go". |
And the British Medical Association warned the recession may lead to the health service suffering. | And the British Medical Association warned the recession may lead to the health service suffering. |
A spokesman said: "The financial crisis means that politicians are falling over themselves to talk about efficiency savings, and we must not allow frontline services to be targeted." | A spokesman said: "The financial crisis means that politicians are falling over themselves to talk about efficiency savings, and we must not allow frontline services to be targeted." |
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