Forget Brexit, put the crippled NHS at heart of General Election campaigns, leading doc tells politicians
THE NHS, not Brexit, must be at the heart of all parties' General Election campaigns, a leading doctor today warned.
Without urgent action, the health service will have no hope of bouncing back from breaking point, Dr Mark Porter, chair of the British Medical Association warned.
Having faced the toughest winter on record, hospitals and GP surgeries are full, while the social care system is on its knees with staff working under intolerable pressure.
As a result, patient safety has been compromised, he warned.
Theresa May called a snap General Election today, scheduling polling day in the diary for June 8.
The Prime Minister stunned Westminster making the announcement outside Number 10 this morning.
She blasted her political rivals for trying to derail Brexit, and now looks to take advantage of opinion polls putting her 20 clear of Labour.
After May triggered Article 50 last month, Britain entered two years of tough negotiations to leave the EU.
MOST READ IN HEALTH
And while Brexit will inevitably play a key role in debates running up to June 8, Dr Porter said it must not be the sole focus.
He urged politicians to concentrate on outlining plans to tackle the unprecedented crisis facing the health service.
Dr Porter said: "Health is always one of the most important issues for the people of this country and with the NHS at breaking point, having been put through one of the worst winters on record, it must be a central issue in the upcoming election.
"The NHS must not be pushed to the margins in the focus on Brexit."
He added: "Consecutive governments have been in denial about the state of the NHS, and when it comes to elections have chosen to use it as a political football.
"Our health and social care systems can no longer cope without urgent action.
"We call on politicians of all parties not to duck this crisis any longer, and instead to outline credible and sustainable plans that will safeguard the future of the fully-funded and supported NHS that staff want and patients deserve."
W ith the NHS at breaking point... it must be a central issue in the upcoming electionThe NHS must not be pushed to the margins in the focus on Brexit
Dr Mark Porter
It means Government targets have been missed almost every month since July 2015.
The stats also showed delays in leaving hospital due to a lack of social care beds have doubled in five years.
NHS boss Simon Stevens recently wrote to health chiefs, urging action to tackle the dire A&E figures.
But, leading medics warned at the time it would have little effect on under-pressure hospitals.
In spite of the hardest winter to date, Dr Porter said staff have worked relentlessly across the health service to ensure we still have "one of the best health services in the world".
"But years of underinvestment while patient demand has been rising means that it is now failing too many people, too often," he added.
"Our hospitals and GP surgeries are full and social care is on its knees, with staff working under impossible conditions.
"There are crippling funding and staffing shortages undermining the delivery of safe care.
"And, serious question marks over the future of thousands of EU citizens who are a vital part of the NHS."
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
When will the snap General Election take place?
Parliament will be asked to vote tomorrow to hold an Election, with Theresa May needing the support of two-thirds of MPs in the House of Commons.
If the vote passes in favour of a snap General Election then it will be held on June 8.
Why has an election been called?
Speaking at her conference today, Theresa May blasted rival parties for trying to derail the Government's Brexit plans.
She said the Election was a chance to show unity, adding: “The country is coming together, but Westminster is not.”
What are the polls saying?
The latest opinion poll from YouGov has the Conservatives on 44 per cent, 21 points ahead of Labour on 23 per cent, with the Lib Dems on 12 per cent and Ukip on ten per cent.
Mr Corbyn has insisted Labour is ready for an election.
Half of voters believe Mrs May is the best pick for Prime Minister, against just 15 per cent who said Mr Corbyn, according to the poll.