§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients he estimates will require NHS treatment in each of the next five years; [14458]
(2) how many patients he estimates will receive NHS treatment in each of the next five years. [14459]
§ Mr. MilburnThe health service will treat more patients over the next five years. The Government's election manifesto stated that the Government will raise348W spending on the National Health Service in real terms every year, and put money towards patient care. The manifesto also made clear our commitment to the historic principle of the NHS:
if you are ill or injured there will be a NHS there to help … access will be based on need … not on your ability to pay … or on who your GP happens to be or on where you live".We intend to keep to these promises.