Since the start of the year, the NHS has been a crucial election battleground with the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all making high profile pledges on funding and the future of the service. Ahead of polling day tomorrow, here are the must read HSJ interviews, analyses and polls from the campaign – and a look at what might happen from 8 May.
The interviews
- Ed Miliband: “There will be no top-down reorganisation which people obviously don’t want to see.”
- Jeremy Hunt: “This announcement of the extra £8bn is very significant for the social care system as well as the health system.”
- Andy Burnham: “The forward view is fine as far as it goes but in and of itself it leaves many big questions unanswered.”
- Nick Clegg: “I will ensure this mental health commitment is on the front page of our manifesto.”
The manifestos
- Conservatives: firmly back the NHS Five Year Forward View with £8bn a year pledge.
- Labour: “health manifesto” confirms flagship NHS commitments, including annual £2.5bn “time to care” fund.
- Liberal Democrats: promise to repeal competition elements of Health Act.
The polls and predictions
- HSJ/FTI Consulting poll: survey finds campaign messages on the NHS have made little difference to how the main parties are perceived by voters.
- CCG barometer: CCG leaders fear political priorities would come first under Labour HWB proposal.
- Michael White: My four election predictions
What could happen after 7 May?
With the election likely to result in a hung Parliament, any common ground on the NHS may be a vital factor in coalition negotiations between parties, and in what policies emerge. In this analysis, HSJ examined where their promises do and do not overlap.
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