A separate NHS tax would only further ease its fragmentation | Caroline Lucas

This ‘cross-party’ campaign to address the health service crisis will do nothing to cure the ills of privatisation

When MPs from different parties put aside their differences to work together, it’s worth listening to what they have to say – especially when it comes to protecting our crisis-ridden NHS. So when Liz Kendall, Norman Lamb and Nick Boles took to the airwaves this morning proposing a cross-party solution to our healthcare crisis, I understand why many people will have listened with interest.

I agree with a number of the proposals, including a commitment to keeping the NHS free at the point of use, integration of social care and increasing funding above inflation. But sadly – and I don’t doubt these MPs care about the NHS – I believe that the sum total of their “ten principles of long-term funding for NHS and social care” ​risk undermining healthcare in this country.

Related: NHS England faces first legal challenge to plans for health shake-up

Continue reading... April 24, 2018 at 08:16PM