UKIP - DAVE MACKAY

The NHS is a last remaining jewel in our country – most other great British assets having been sacrificed on the altar of the EU.

However, this last remaining and vitally important asset faces two great threats – being slowly privatised, as is already happening as parts and assets are sold. People now going private for some conditions.

The other great threat is lack of funding.

Yes, the NHS budget is increased but not at the rate needed for an aging population coupled with a massive rise in population by immigration, massive litigation, exorbitant PFI contracts and inefficient procurement.

Without extra funding, the health provision will further decline. We all have at least anecdotal evidence of increasingly long casualty waits or waits for treatment or only being able to discuss one malady on a doctor visit.

These delays actually increase costs as symptoms can get worse due to delay, incurring even more cost and resources to rectify later. It’s a dangerous downward spiral for the patient.

In the constituency, far from creating more new health centres while rapidly building housing, the East Kilbride Greenhills Medical Centre was on the verge of closing.

Yes it was saved – it would have been politically embarrassing if it wasn’t but it does demonstrate the dire state health provision is in.

If provision isn’t maintained, we will end up with a substandard service and people will move to private health care which is privatisation of the health service by default.

UKIP’s policy – NHS is free at the point of delivery. To be a National Health Service not an International Health Service. To terminate the catastrophic PFI contracts where possible.

To control litigation, about £78billion, your NHS money, at risk in legal judgement now.