DON'T TRUST THE TORIES ON THE NHS: OUR LIVES IN THEIR HANDS

In our latest tabloid, South Dorset Lib Dems have highlighted how those Tory MPs not constantly under the cosh of cuddly Cameron, have revealed the real thinking behind what might happen to the NHS in Conservative hands.

Leading Conservative Daniel Hannan, described the NHS as a “sixty year mistake” when touring the US last summer. Then it was revealed that leading Conservatives described the NHS as “no longer relevant in the 21st century” in a book co-authored by one of David Cameron’s close colleagues. Clearly the preference would be for the kind of private health insurance enjoyed by those who can afford to pay for it in the US with only the very basics available to the poor. A return to the two tier nightmare of the 1992 election campaign ?

Now, Tory adviser Julia Manning wants to end the availability of minor treatments on the NHS.

In her report, Manning, who last week hosted a “Cameron Direct” town hall meeting for the party leader, wrote: “‘Diagnostic drift’ or ‘disease-mongering’ are draining the NHS of precious resources.

“Examples of this include varicose veins, acne, short stature, IVF, cosmetic surgery and moderate increases in blood pressure or cholesterol.”

The most controversial proposal is to end IVF on the NHS, which is already heavily rationed by health authorities as well as the introduction of further prescription charges.

Manning, currently on the shortlist of Conservative parliamentary candidates, has proposed that free prescriptions should end for painkillers and cold remedies, and that alcoholics and drug addicts who repeatedly turn up to A&E should be fined.

As director of the 2020Health.org think tank she is a close adviser to the Tory leadership, and has claimed that ending free treatment for minor or “lifestyle” illnesses could save £20 billion a year — about a fifth of the annual budget. “Examples of this include varicose veins, acne, short stature, IVF, cosmetic surgery and moderate increases in blood pressure or cholesterol.” she said.

This beggars belief. When we have seen how hard Obama and the Democrats have had to fight over the course of several administrations to get even universal private health care through the statute books , how can we even think of rationing health care in this way.

But the real learning point is not to believe the spin. There is a wide gap between what the Tories actually believe on health, and what they say they are going to do. It’s a case of ‘I’m alright Jack’ for those who can afford it – and a free- for- all for the rest of us. Whatever appears to be on offer – see your way through the gauze of manicured publicity: leopards don’t change their spots