LIBDEM HEALTH PLEDGES DELIVER WORCESTERSHIRE'S PRIORITIES

1.24.48pm GMT Mon 10th Mar 2008

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt today hailed his party's new health policy as 'just what the doctor ordered' following an overwhelming vote in favour at the party's Spring Conference in Liverpool over the weekend.

Mr Burt, Parliamentary Spokesman for Health in the West Midlands, spoke at a fringe meeting and said:

"Over a million people across the nation took part in our health survey to take the temperature of the nation last autumn. Thousands responded in West Worcestershire, and our party has delivered.

"Residents in West Worcestershire gave overwhelming support for the idea of local elected health boards to run local NHS services, and we have now pledged to deliver on that.

"To focus the NHS on people rather than top down management and political priorities, we will offer a personal entitlement to every citizen through a patient contract, making sure, for example, that those who suffer from mental illness start the treatment they need within thirteen weeks - with an entitlement to use the private sector, paid for by the NHS, if the deadline is not met.

"This is an approach that will resonate with everybody who has ever experienced frustration at not being able to get the treatment they need - at the time that they need it.