General Election 2017 Healthcare Pledges, Strategies & Targets

Being apart of primary care, whether you are a GP or staff provider, we all share some mutual expectations and are looking forward to getting rid of chaotic NHS present and move towards a better, progressive and flawless operation.

In a race to Number 10 who has what to offer is of highest priority for Healthcare professionals!

What will be the future of NHS after the General Election 2017? Following is a brief summary of how the parties differentiate in their Healthcare Pledges.

Conservatives:

1. Increase NHS’ spending by £8bn minimum in real terms over the next five years.

2. Make it a priority in Brexit negotiations that the 140,000 staff from EU countries are allowed to carry on their contributions towards NHS and social care.

3. Build and upgrade primary care facilities, mental health clinic and hospitals.

4. Recover the cost of medical treatment from non-UK residents.

Analysis: The extra funding being pledged towards the NHS is rather momentous. However, this seems quite insignificant when contrasted to Labour’s pledge targeting the same matter.

Labour:

1. Erase the NHS pay cap and commit to (in excess) of £30bn in extra funding over the next parliament.

2. One million people to be taken off NHS waiting lists by guaranteeing them treatment within 18 weeks.

3. Free parking in NHS England for all patient, staff and visitors.

4. Increased funding to GP services and ring fenced mental health budgets.

Analysis: The pledges being made towards the NHS are very costly but we have been told numerous times that the NHS needs dramatically increased funding to keep up with ever-increasing demand and costs. However, it’s unlikely that focusing solely on the top 5% of earners will raise the required funds.

Liberal Democrats:

1. 1p rise on income tax to raise £6bn per year solely to be spent on the NHS and social care services.

2. Mental health waiting time standards to match those of the physical health care departments.

3. Improved integration of health and social care and implement cap on the cost of social care

Analysis: The health budget is one of the main priorities needing to be faced. The Treasury has always been very greatly opposed to the idea of ring fenced taxes; it may be a struggle to keep the proceeds hypothecated.

[1] theguardian.com (2017). General election 2017: The key pledges made by Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems in the run-up to the UK general election [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39711133 [Accessed 21 May 2017].