Our NHS is to be valued and protected. Many of us have seen first hand the professionalism and dedication of our doctors, nurses and midwives. So we must ensure the resources and improvements take place.
More funding and health professionals
Already during this parliament we have seen increased funding meaning more doctors, nurses and midwives. There are now more than 8,000 more doctors, 6000 more nurses and 1,500 more midwives. The Conservative Party plan is to remain committed to increasing funding in real terms each year. In the Autumn Statement the Chancellor committed an additional £2 billion on top of this.
This funds new treatments like the £1.16 billion Cancer Drugs Fund. This is has already helped more than 60,000 people get the most pioneering, life enhancing medicine there is.
Tackling failure
The public inquiry into the Mid Staffs tragedy exposed systemic failings in the NHS. The
goverment ensured that the CQC is now independent, putting in new ratings system and appointed a chief inspector for hospitals, GPs and social care. All 11 hospitals put into Special Measures after the Keogh Review are making progress and five are out of special measures.
Dignity in wards
It is also important we are respect patients’ dignity by nearly eradicating mixed sex wards. The number of patients facing the indignity of mixed-sex wards has fallen from 11,802 in November 2010 to 170 in July 2014.
Reducing infection rates
Hospital infections have been halved since 2010 – so people have much more confidence that they are going to cleaner hospitals where they are less likely to get more ill. Both MRSA and C. Difficile are down by more than 50 per cent since since 2010.
Clearly there are many challenges ahead of us, so it is crucial we ensure a Conservative government to continue the investment in the NHS.
