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Brown to pledge care 'revolution'
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Gordon Brown is to promise a "personalised" revolution in health and social care, with one-to-one support at home for all cancer patients.
In a major pre-general election speech, the Prime Minister will insist that "take it or leave it" public services are no longer good enough, and people want provision that is "responsive to their choices".
"In the NHS as well as through a new national care service we want to extend the offer of care in the home," Mr Brown will say. "Choice, control and personalisation is not just something for the young - the choices people make later in their lives might be different, but the right to a choice, to personalised care is just as important if not more so."
Addressing an audience at health think-tank The King's Fund, Mr Brown will pledge a broad reform of community healthcare, giving people the option of chemotherapy and dialysis without having to travel to a clinic or hospital.
It would also be easier to access palliative care and care for the elderly at home.
Committing to ensure that within the next five years 1.6 million cancer sufferers have access to one-to-one nursing care in their homes, Mr Brown is to say: "When faced with the fears and uncertainties of a serious illness, dedicated nursing, such as that provided by Macmillan nurses, has the potential to transform the experience of care for the patient and their family too.
"Not just improving the outcomes of care, but helping them to understand their choices and options.
"At the centre of our vision to transform community services will be a commitment to dedicated nursing for those who need it. And nowhere is this more crucial than for cancer patients."
Mr Brown will add: "Our plans for an improved offer for patients with long-term and chronic conditions will mean fewer people needing to suffer acute admissions to hospital, and many more of those who are elderly and frail avoiding emergencies.
"If we are successful we believe we can improve millions of lives and save more than £2 billion over the next three years all of which can be reinvested into the NHS, into services such as new dedicated nursing."
Reader views (12)
Arh yes the fine print..... To be entitled to "free" social care you will be required to pay\buy a £20,000 bond upon retirement.
- Chris, Rochester, 08/02/2010 21:32
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This is what really matters carin fo our elderly infirm and vulnerable folk. Often left with no one but the State to look after them because their families haven't the time.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 08/02/2010 19:39
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If you believe anything Mr Brown promises or says I have a beach front property in the middle of the Sahara Desert you will be interested in.
- Jas, Farnborough UK, 08/02/2010 19:17
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I see his maths is as good as ever......
- Lynn, London, 08/02/2010 19:12
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Where's all this money coming from? I thought this country was broke.
- Judith, KIng's Lynn, Norfolk, UK, 08/02/2010 18:33
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"A Brown pledge is as good as a Bliar pledge, just a ghost of an idea that never materialises."
...more like an election geared pledge that would be quietly shelved AFTER an election as impractical "despite good intentions" - the intention from the get-go!
- Rogan, Irving, 08/02/2010 18:32
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Brian Faulkner - You are not going to have this nurses working 24/7 are you? For 24 hour cover, seven days a week you need a minimum of 5 people.
Is it a job creation scheme for dialysis manufacturers to provide enough equipment for personal issue to each patient?
Is this mad idea the side effect of him eating too many bananas?
- Brian G, Norfolk Gorleston, 08/02/2010 15:26
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Can someoen get this idiot back to the real world.
Where should the money come from??? His own purse? I don't think so.
You should stsrt repaying the national debt before you start dreaming.
He obviously hasn't got a clue where the nurses should come from.
get him out now. He messed up this country long enough.
And yes, never come back
- Michael, Cheshunt, 08/02/2010 12:56
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He is coming up with some corking ideas now after all these years, nobody trusts him though , not with his record, time to go, and don't you come back!
- Peter Woods, torre chianca, Italy, 08/02/2010 12:41
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Don't be too sarcastic on the poor old chap, boys, you don't want to start him off crying again do you?
- Peter Thurgood, London, UK, 08/02/2010 11:17
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A Brown pledge is as good as a Bliar pledge, just a ghost of an idea that never materialises.
- Thorrun, Brentwood UK, 08/02/2010 05:33
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So the 1.6 million cancer sufferers will have 1.6 million nurses to look after them full time? I don't think so Gordon. Any more than I believe anything emitted by this mans mouth. In his case, reading the small print in everything he says is essential.
- Brian Faulkner, Bridgwater UK, 08/02/2010 03:52
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