Blair is partially right on the NHS

Blair is right to say that there have been improvements in the NHS since 1997. In particular, the reduction in waiting times is an achievement. However, he fails to properly acknowledge the significant failures which include; the poor service that patients with illnesses where there is no waiting time target receive; or the manipulation of waiting times through changes to the point when a Consultants appointment is made. But by far the most significant change has been a downturn in care for patients. The obsession with getting patients in and out of hospital as quickly as possible is not good.

The list of failures could go on and on; the horrendous cost of basic telephone and television services for patients; massive rises in MRSA; and awful mental health provision.

Basically there have been improvements, but there have been even bigger failures and the NHS offers lower value for money than at any time in its history. That should be part of the New Labour legacy.