Making the NHS Fair Again with Free Long-Term Care and Other Charges Scrapped or Cut

12.36.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 13th Apr 2005

Chris Huhne, the Lib Dems' candidate to take over from retiring MP David Chidgey in Eastleigh, said that the party's proposals on health would put the founding principles of fairness back into the National Health Service.

Commenting on the Liberal Democrat NHS proposals launched today, Mr Huhne said that there were too many unfair charges faced by users of the NHS.

Liberal Democrats will:

· Scrap charges for personal care for the elderly throughout the UK

· Scrap charges for eye checks

· Scrap charges for dental checks

· Deliver a fairer prescription charge system, following an independent review

Mr Huhne said: "For the Liberal Democrats fairness is a priority. We will cut charges in the NHS by providing free eye and dental checks for all, because prevention is as important as cure. Charges for tests discourage people from taking them.

"We will set up a review of the prescription charge regime. Our objective will be to deliver a fairer system.

"We will provide free personal care for people with long-term or debilitating illnesses -- just as Liberal Democrats have achieved in Scotland. The principle is that personal care that is free in a hospital should be free at home or in a residential home.

"Liberal Democrats believe the principles of the National Health Service are as relevant today as they were when it was first founded.

"A universal service, a common good funded through general taxation; delivering health care to all citizens; based on need, not on what a person can afford; and free at the point of delivery.

"It's time to reinvigorate the founding principles of fairness in the NHS."

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Older People, Romsey candidate Sandra Gidley, said:

"Frail and sick elderly people should not have to pay for basic care like help with feeding, dressing and washing. The Prime Minister broke his promise to end this scandal.

"The Liberal Democrats have a clear and costed commitment to free personal care for the elderly."