[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by the truth

But labour brought in all this middle management and endless cover ups and labour left the NHS less trusted than ever

I enjoy reading your views and agree with and respect them a lot of the time the truth,on this though I don't really see it that way.
I was only 5 when Labour was elected in 1997 but I recall being told of an elderly relative and an elderly neighbour,(once I was in my teens), both of who were waiting for operations,one a knee operation and the other a cataract operation before 1997.
The knee operation had been needed for over a year and the cataract one for over 9 months.

I recall all my family who were involved with the NHS saying that in 1997 the NHS was on its knees and wards were closed because there were not enough Nurses to man them.

Despite all its faults and errors,(which unfortunately, while being unacceptable are very likely to occur because of the size of the NHS), that was not the case for the NHS by 2010, a lot needed to be done and will always need to be done as it is an evolving institution that needs to keep up with modern treatments and technology.

Now I see it in confusion, a disheartened workforce in the main and once more longer waiting times creeping in as to things like Knee operations and cataracts, things that usually affect the elderly,those being described as 'minor' conditions.

I personally don't accept that Labour left the NHS worse than when they took over in 1997, however already after less than 4 years of this Govt, it is far worse than it was in 2010 again now.

The full reforms,causing so many problems for Staff and Patients alike are a disaster and no one voted for the reforms either, both Cameron and Lansley stated there would be no full reform of the NHS.
The Lib Dems too had hardly any plans for the NHS really, they were in talks with Labour as to what new measures would be needed for the NHS before the 2010 election.

In 1997, the NHS was almost ready for a very cheap privatisation programme that was halted by the election of a Labour Govt.
Now we are almost there again and I for one,( and I know a great many others), will not listen to, or again believe, Cameron saying the NHS is safe in his hands after doing those reforms.
It is starting to look as if once again, the NHS is being set up for a cheap privatisation programme.

Everytime I hear Andy Burnham speak as to the NHS,I agree with everything he says so Labour gets my vote.
They will get that vote despite their failings too as to the NHS,however I can easily and more readily accept that they will do far more to nurture the NHS not bring it down like this Govt is doing.