AS MP for South Shields, I am passionate about ensuring that our Labour Government continues to support the NHS.
Here in South Tyneside we have a health service to be proud of, our local trust is rated as one of the best in the country.
Everyone involved in the NHS in South Shields goes that extra mile to provide a good service to us all, and for that we ar
e all very grateful.
Of course, it is easy for the opposition to run down the NHS, but let's look at the facts and see who really is delivering a better health service for the residents of South Tyneside.
In 1997, the Tories committed £35bn to the NHS budget. They introduced a waiting time target of 18 months, along with increased waiting lists.
The Labour Government has committed £96bn to the NHS budget this year.
This is a 96 per cent real terms rise investment in our health service, while waiting lists are down by more than 600,000 since 1997.
Waiting 18 months under the Tories for an operation is well and truly a thing of the past, most patients now wait less than 13 weeks, and by the end of this year, nobody will have to wait for more than 18 weeks from the time they see their doctor to the start of treatment.
And 99.9 per cent of people with suspected cancer are seen by a specialist within 14 days of being referred by their GP.
Labour's tough targets have improved the quality standards across the NHS.
The NHS now has 80,000 more nurses, 38,000 more doctors, 5,000 more GPs and 4,500 more dentists compared to 1997.
David Cameron's Conservative party has said they would scrap Labour's tough targets and patient guarantees.
I know that many readers will be shocked by this, but you have my assurances that this government will keep its guarantees for patients.
Unlike the Tories, Labour will ensure that all suspected cancer patients continue to be seen by a specialist within two weeks.
All patients will begin treatment within 18 weeks of GP referral.
Labour will never allow you or your family to wait up to 18 months for an operation, like many people had to under the last Conservative government.
Under Alan Johnson, all accident and emergency patients are seen within four hours, unbelievably the Conservatives would not guarantee this commitment either.
The above is clear proof that it is the Labour party which cares for the NHS and it is the Labour party that will continue to invest in our health service and our NHS staff.
On behalf of everyone in South Shields, I would like to thank all NHS workers for all their hard work, and their dedication and commitment to making our town a healthier place to live and work.
