Lib Dems: Department of Health is failing

Wednesday, 09, Aug 2006 12:00

The government is failing in its duty to maintain health standards, the Liberal Democrats have said, in response to new report showing wide variations in healthcare spending.

Research by think tank the King's Fund shows considerable differences between the amount of money primary care trusts (PCTs) spend on the priority areas of mental health, cancer and heart disease treatments.

“This report shows that there are huge variations in the level of healthcare across the country which cannot be explained by variations in need," said health spokesman Steve Webb.

“While it is only right that the NHS can provide different patterns of service in different areas to meet differing needs, those variations should be based on evidence and have to be carefully planned."

He added: “The Department of Health has a responsibility to oversee national standards in healthcare, and this report shows that it is clearly failing in its duty.”