The NHS needs elected Health Boards and a local connection

1.24.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 14th Sep 2007

Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP, has today published his Vision Paper, setting out plans for a genuinely local health service freed from Whitehall, giving patients real control over their healthcare.

The paper, which is Norman Lamb's contribution to the party's health policy working group, set to report fully early next year, includes proposals for:

· An elected Local Health Board: putting people in charge of decisions about their local health services.

· A local health contribution: offset by cuts in national income tax, this would allow communities to raise extra money for their local health services.

· A Patient Adviser: a universal information service accessible via the GP surgery, guiding the patient through the full range of health, social care and other support services.

· A 'Patient's Contract': a declaration of entitlements that every citizen has of right, wherever they live.

· Empowering patients: exploring introducing more direct payments and personal budgets.

Commenting on his paper, Norman Lamb said "The Liberal Democrats are committed to an NHS which delivers high quality health services to all, irrespective of income."

"As has recently been said, this can only be achieved by getting better value for money, but it is crucial to recognise that not every area has the same priorities. In today's highly centralised NHS there is a real 'democratic deficit', with too many decisions made in Whitehall.

"Protests against hospital closures and cuts to services, up and down the country, show that local people do not feel their voices are being heard. Liberal Democrats think the status quo is unacceptable. The key is creating real accountability to local communities, where they have the power to make decisions on how money is spent on their NHS. Patients would be genuinely empowered to take control of their own healthcare through better information and a 'patient contract'."

"My paper will help inform the debate on how the Liberal Democrats can genuinely give people a say in their local health service."