Labour’s management of our NHS proves they’re not up to the job

Labour’s mismanagement of the Welsh NHS proves they are not up to the job of governing Wales, says Andrew RT Davies.

Welsh Conservatives are committed to protecting the health budget over the next Assembly term, ending Labour’s legacy of health spending cuts – which has contributes towards 1-in-7 being on an NHS waiting list, local services lost, and professional bodies complaining of a ‘belligerent’ attitude from the First Minister.

As the 2016 Assembly election approaches, leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies has urged people to use their vote to ensure Labour are not allowed to make the same mistakes all over again.

He has also highlighted that a strong NHS depends on a strong economy, and that a “new start” awaits the NHS under new leadership.

Speaking with only days to go until Thursday’s election, Andrew RT Davies said:

“Labour’s management of the NHS proves they’re not up to the job.

“The election this Thursday presents voters with their best opportunity in nearly two decades to deliver new leadership for Wales, and secure a strong, properly-funded NHS backed up by a strong economy. With Labour only one seat from losing power, a new start for our NHS is within reach.

“For 68 years, the NHS has supported the health our nation and exists as a powerful vehicle of social justice. But after 17 years of Labour, this service which we hold so dear is being run into the ground and is verging on a crisis that would make Aneurin Bevan himself turn in his grave.

“One-in-seven people now languish on a waiting list; there are patients who can’t access life-saving cancer drugs; waiting times have doubled; ambulance targets are frequently missed; hospitals are closing or exist in a semi-permanent state of crisis; managers are rewarded with huge pay-outs for failure; and a billion pounds has been cleaved from the health budget.

“The Welsh Conservatives are the only party to have made a manifesto commitment to safeguard the NHS budget and to increase spending on health services each and every year during the Assembly term – and we are the only party to have published a separate manifesto for health (read here), offering a detailed blueprint for transforming the NHS. Backed up by a strong economy, we will secure a new start for our cherished NHS.

“A Welsh Conservative government would tackle waste and inefficiency, prevent hospital closures, increase the number of doctor and nurse training places, ensuring that more who choose to train in Wales stay to practice in Wales.

“This is a shameful record, which emphasises Labour’s failure and proves they’re bad for your health, and unfit to manage Wales. This isn’t as good as it gets – we can do better, we must do better and under a Welsh Conservative government we will do better.”