NEW NHS PRIORITIES WILL AMOUNT TO LITTLE WHILST CAUSES OF PROBLEMS PERSIST - LAMB

6.46.22pm GMT Thu 13th Dec 2007

Commenting on the NHS operating framework 2008/9 published today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said: "Creating new priorities will amount to little without real action on the causes of these problems."

"The Government is set to miss its MRSA targets, while health inequalities have shamefully widened under Labour. Hospital infections cannot be effectively tackled unless bed occupancy levels are reduced, while health inequalities require urgent action to deal with the escalating public health crisis."

"Local spending cannot reflect local priorities without accountability to the people they serve. Trust boards are still appointed by Whitehall when they should be elected by local people."