Cornwall’s NHS – Charlotte’s candidate column (week 3)

Cornwall’s NHS priority is the best possible treatment and outcomes for patients here.

Labour’s promises are treatment guarantees – cancer test results within one week of first seeing your GP, a new legal right for mums to choose where they give birth.

In June 2010, Truro’s new health park will open for 30,000 patients. Waiting times are down and cancer survival rates are improved.

Investment in Cornwall’s NHS has almost quadrupled since 1992. I support publication of information about public spending in Cornwall, and always champion a fair deal for patients here.

It is right that Labour Health Secretary Andy Burnham agreed to review the upper GI transfer. It should never have reached that point if the Council’s scrutiny committee, and NHS Boards, had undertaken a full public consultation.

Labour will introduce a new National Care Service. Free of fear that people will have to sell their homes and spend family savings to pay for the care they need. The Tories walked away from talks about funding care for the elderly.

We had a battle with the Tories when we created the NHS. Now you and your family in Cornwall have world class healthcare free at the point of need.