Starved by Tory cuts

THE NHS was founded on the basis it would be available for everyone regardless of wealth or clinical need.

That principle has been dangerously undermined by a Tory government which has starved the health service of funds and opened its doors to private firms.

Figures show 12million people are having to wait more than a week to get an appointment with a GP and one in three patients struggle to contact their local surgery by phone.

This is hardly surprising when overworked and demoralised doctors are quitting in despair. Despite Tory promises to recruit more staff, the number of GPs has fallen in the eight years since they came to power.

That is why Labour’s pledge to boost GP funding by an extra £900million is so welcome.

The NHS is the country’s most loved institution but because of Conservative cuts and mismanagement it is struggling.

It was created by a Labour government and its future can only be guaranteed by having Labour in power.