THE NHS suffered from under-investment for 18 years under previous Conservative governments.

Labour has unnecessarily stuck to the Tory spending plans.

Consequently, the NHS still lacks the capacity to give patients the first-class treatment they deserve. It is short of staff, beds, hospitals and residential homes.

The Liberal Democrats offer something different, based on clear and distinct priorities. We will prioritise investment to cut waiting times. Our fully costed and affordable 21 policies will:

Cut waiting times by recruiting 27,000 more nurses, 4,600 more doctors and 10,000 other medical professionals such as radiographers.

Reward lower paid nurses and midwives by increasing pay levels.

Provide an additional 10,000 beds.

Abolish charges for eye and dental checks.

Stop the postcode lottery of availability of all medicines.

End the scandal of elderly patients having to pay for long-term care. They will no longer have to sell their homes to pay for this care.

Health is a fundamental freedom. No-one can fulfil their potential without the best possible health.