NHS a key issue for Portsmouth voters
We took our giant prescription pad to Cosham high street in north Portsmouth
- Published
Paying NHS staff more, investing in prevention and thinning out management. A few suggestions from people in Cosham, north Portsmouth, who want to see improvements within the health service.
Many praised the Queen Alexandra Hospital but said they were struggling to access NHS dentistry and GP appointments.
We took our giant prescription pad to the high street to ask shoppers what would be their medicine to make the NHS better.
'We'd all be willing to help pay'
Joan Oldfield wants to see higher wages for hospital staff
Grandmother Joan Oldfield said those working on hospital wards should be paid a higher wage and that she would be happy to pay more tax for that.
She said: "They need [staff] more in the wards, actually seeing to the people rather than doing all the admin.
"Everyone works for money don't they? They need a good wage and I think we'd all be willing to help pay for a decent NHS."
'We need to invest more in training'
Rob Williams said he would be happy to pay more National Insurance for the NHS
Rob Williams thinks there should be a separate fund for the NHS.
He said: "I would be happy to pay more money in National Insurance just for the NHS.
"We need to invest more in training. I can afford to go private but many people can't."
'Prevention is better than cure'
Colin Chaldecott said doctors needed training in nutrition
Colin Chaldecott thinks more resources should go into promoting a healthy lifestyle in order to ease pressure on the NHS.
He said: "Instead of just symptomatic medication and patching over the problems, look at the cause of the problems.
"There are too many people with poor diets so training doctors in nutrition is key."
'We need more women in senior roles'
Maureen Hallam said the NHS needed more women in the top jobs
Business owner Maureen Hallam said more women in senior roles would help the NHS improve its management.
She said: "I think you need more women at the top.
"Women know how to get the meat and potatoes on the table at the same time and that's what you call good management."
What do the Conservatives say?
The Conservative Party said by the end of the next Parliament, there will be 92,000 more nurses and 28,000 more doctors in the NHS than in 2023.
It said it would build 40 new hospitals and introduce a cap on care costs next year.
What do Labour say?
Labour is promising to create an extra 40,000 appointments and operations a year by introducing more weekend services, as well as turning to the private sector.
It said a target that most NHS patients will start treatment within 18 weeks would be hit within five years.
What do Reform UK say?
The party said that, for three years, all frontline NHS and social care staff would pay 0% basic rate tax to encourage people back to the service.
Independent healthcare providers would be used to help clear the backlog.
What do the Liberal Democrats say?
The Liberal Democrats promise 8,000 more GPs in England and that all cancer patients will begin treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral.
They plan to introduce free personal care in England.
What do the Greens say?
The Greens say junior doctors' pay will be restored - a 35% pay increase.
They also promise to increase the NHS budget in England by £8bn in the first year.
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