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Labourand the Tories were locked in a fresh battle over the NHS today as a poll found that a third of voters believed health spending would be cut whoever won the next election.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said that David Cameron would turn the NHS into the "biggest quango in the world" and warned that the Conservatives would scrap key targets for A&E and cancer treatment.
But Mr Burnham faced embarrassment as an NHS regulator attacked the slow pace of health reform and a poll indicated that neither of the main parties was trusted with the service's future.
Conservative commitment to the NHS has come under scrutiny after MEP Daniel Hannan's appearance on US television to warn against copying the British health system, saying he "would not wish it on anybody".
Mr Cameron slapped down Mr Hannan but Mr Burnham today sought to exploit the row by claiming that the Tory leader's "bland protestations of love" for the NHS did not prove "unequivocal support" for it. The Health Secretary said that without strong national targets and management, the poorest areas tend to get the poorest services.
"By contrast, the Tories are ambivalent about the role of the centre, preferring localism in health as in other areas," he said.
He added that Tory plans to create an independent board running the NHS would turn it into the biggest quango in the world - responsible for a £100billion budget and 1.4million staff.
A survey by Onepoll.com for AXA PPP healthcare found that despite the recent public support seen for the NHS, 29 per cent of respondents said none of the political parties could be trusted with the service.
Some 27 per cent said the Tories are best placed to run the NHS, topping Labour, who were on 26 per cent.
William Moyes, chairman of the NHS foundation trust regulator Monitor, told the Financial Times that Tony Blair's drive for greater freedom for hospitals had stalled.
Hospitals were supposed to be given the chance to become free-standing foundation trusts, responsible for their own finances and survival, by last year.
But Dr Moyes revealed the plan has slipped badly behind schedule. Of the 233 NHS organisations eligible only 121 have achievedtrust status.
About 100 more have still not reached a stage where the Department of Health believes they are sufficiently robust, financially and in other ways, to submit them for approval.
Former health minister Lord Darzi has defended the NHS in the US media, saying there was a need to correct "bizarre allegations" being made about the health service.
Reader views (4)
Tnere is no slander Andy Burnham can fling at the Tories over their view of health care that is half as bad as Labour have already done to NH themlelves.
- Western Gael, Monument, US
This sounds like envy coming from Burnham. Envious that someone else may create an even bigger Quango than all those created by Nulabour over the past twelve years.
In reply to Liz Roberts, Northwich, Got him now, he's a little orange bloke who CREEPs up behind you, then slaps both cheeks, while uttering that well know NuLabour cry 'You've been Quango'd, or am I thinking of someone else.
- Alan, carlisle uk
If you can't place him,just think of a smug little teenager who has been promoted way beyond his capabilities or intellect.He is another one who plays on his 'northern roots' as though he lived in a house with coal in the bath and a whippet in every room.He is useless,and all he does is to snipe at the 'Tories' with ridiculous and unfounded statements.As long as he gets his face on the telly,it doesn't seem to matter what he says.It just shows the depths to which this 'Gov' has sunk to when a little twerp like Burnham can hold such a high and responsible office.heaven help us all!
- Liz Roberts, Northwich Cheshire UK
Andy Burnham... Funnily enough I can't picture him, I assume he's whoever Labour decided should be Health Secretary for this week.
Targets have so much to answer for, the labour fixation with measuring everything has been so damaging it really is time to scrap them in policing, schooling, and healthcare and put the money into allowing the professionals to provide the best quality service they can.
Targets are why police investigate easy to solve crimes, social workers take babies from vulnerable parents, schools teach how to pass increasingly simplified exams, all because Labour has targets and the agencies involved won't get funding if they don't hit them.
Stuff your targets Mr Burnham.
- Ian, london
