Commentary on health policy in Election Manifestos
The Conversation’s Manifesto Check brings academic expertise to bear on the political parties' key election pledges
SNP health pledges pose questions for the whole UK
Article by Karen Bloor in The Conversation
Posted on 22 April 2015
The Scottish National Party’s manifesto makes relatively few pledges on health. This is, of course, because policy on health care and the NHS in Scotland are devolved to the Scottish parliament, and are essentially none of Westminster’s business. Read on
The Greens have detailed plans for health, but can they afford them?
Article by Maria Goddard in The Conversation
Posted on 21 April 2015
The Green Party manifesto has the stated aim of creating a “national health society” and presents a picture in which employment, education, transport, housing, food and the environment all contribute towards the creation of a healthier and more equal society. Read on
Health tourism only costs as much as UKIP’s free parking pledge
Article by Richard Cookson in The Conversation
Posted on 17 April 2015
In essence, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) propose to solve the problems of the NHS by spending more money. The risk, of course, is that the NHS could swallow this extra money without delivering improved quality and outcomes for patients. UKIP do not explain how they will get value for money from this spending. Read on
Lib Dems offer detailed and coherent plans for health
Article by Andrew Street in The Conversation
Posted on 17 April 2015
The section on “building a healthier society” in the Liberal Democrat’s manifesto shares much in common with the manifestos already published by the other parties. But taken overall, the Lib Dems offer the most coherent set of plans to improve our health and wellbeing. Read on
Conservative claims about NHS waiting times and satisfaction don't stand up
Article by Andrew Street in The Conversation
Posted on 15 April 2015
The Conservatives recognise that the electorate is suspicious about their guardianship of the National Health Service. Prior to the last election, they promised that there would be "no top-down reorganisation of the NHS", only for Andrew Lansley to embark on a reorganisation of such scale that the NHS chief executive of the time described it as "so big you can see it from space". Read on
Labour tries to highlight party differences in familiar health manifesto
Article by Maria Goddard in The Conversation
Posted on 14 April 2015
The Labour manifesto refers to the NHS as "one of our great national institutions", and has the stated aim to "rescue our NHS", referring to the "wrong values" that the Conservatives have put at the heart of the NHS. Read on
Plaid Cymru wants more doctors, but do we need them?
Article by Andrew Street in The Conversation
Posted on 2 April 2015
Plaid Cymru’s plans imply greater expenditure on the NHS in Wales – notably on more doctors, for air ambulances, and for the “New Medicines and Treatments Fund”. The expenditure increase is unlikely to be offset entirely by their pledge to move “towards a paperless NHS that will save money and bureaucracy”. This means additional funding will have to come from elsewhere, if Plaid Cymru’s ambitions are to be realised. Read on
Has turning the NHS into a market cost £10 billion?
Article by Maria Goddard in The Conversation
Posted on 17 March 2015
It has been estimated that entrenching market structures in the NHS, for example through tendering, bidding and contracting to the private sector, costs over £10 billion a year. Read on