Brown defends NHS targets and EU treaty

Wednesday, 17 October 2007 12:00 AM

In a more subdued prime minister's questions this week, Gordon Brown faced criticism over NHS targets and was forced once again to defend his stance on the EU treaty.

This week, the Healthcare Commission published the findings of an investigation into two separate Clostridium Difficile outbreaks at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Trust between 2004 and 2006.

The outbreaks killed 90 patients and affected numerous others.

The report indicated that senior management at the Trust's three hospitals, failed to implement health and safety procedures effectively because they were preoccupied with meeting government-set targets on waiting and treatment times.

David Cameron seized upon the report in the Commons today, arguing it proved top-down targets were contributing to the proliferation of hospital acquired infections and other problems.

The prime minister responded by reeling off a range of new measures announced by the government in recent weeks to help tackle the problem.

Mr Brown insisted the introduction of 3,000 matrons, and the proposed annual "deep clean" of all hospitals, would help to reduce the spreading of infections.

He said targets were "not to blame" and were fundamental to the functioning of any modern healthcare system.

The prime minister said: "Targets are responsible for a 40 per cent fall in coronary disease. Targets are there to be set for a reason. We are spending more money on investment to the health service. Which he [David Cameron] voted against!"

Mr Cameron responded by accusing Gordon Brown of "not listening to those working in the NHS".

The Conservative leader referred to the 'nurse of the year', Justine Whitaker, who resigned today after claiming the NHS is being restrained by bureaucracy and paperwork.

But the debate quickly changed to the EU treaty, as Mr Cameron renewed pressure on the prime minister to "hold a referendum".

Mr Cameron insisted the treaty was exactly the same as the constitution rejected by both France and the Netherlands in 2005, and said the "majority of people want referendum".

Labour promised a referendum within their 2005 election manifesto, but have since retreated from this commitment.

The prime minister is due to travel to Lisbon tomorrow to debate the terms of the ammended treaty, and potentially ratify it if all member states find agreement over the two-day summit.

Facing the Commons today, Mr Brown restated his case, saying: "It is different because it is not a constitutional treaty."

He added: "The Conservatives voted against a referendum in 1992, and they must have honesty to vote against one now".

He argued the national interest is protected by the reform treaty, so that Britain retains authority over national and social security decisions, as well as foreign policy.

Vince Cable made a brief appearance as acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, following the resignation of Menzies Campbell on Monday night.

Mr Brown - a long-time friend of Sir Menzies - paid tribute to the former leader, calling him a "distinguished parliamentarian".

With two such leadership changes in the same number of years for the party, Gordon Brown quipped "if this rate of change continues, all members of the Liberal Democrats will have a chance to be leader."

Mr Cable did raise the issue of tax benefits for married couples, originally a Conservative policy, but apparently being considered by Labour follwoing comments by Andy Burnham this weekend.

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• party politics