Where is the political will to save the NHS? | Denis Campbell

The NHS must completely modernise or risk collapse, yet none of the main parties have policies in place that measure up to the task

There are barely six weeks until the election. Polls show the NHS to be the issue the public cares most about and everyone – voters, staff and its leadership – now accepts that it must undergo big changes to survive the tough years of 2015-2020. In the circumstances, the three main political parties should already have policies in place on the NHS that are not just detailed but also credible, well thought through and, necessarily, bold; that are commensurate with the daunting task facing the nation’s most cherished public service, to modernise completely or risk collapse. But sadly, and worryingly, they don’t.

Labour and Tory refusal to commit to finding the extra £8bn a year Stevens said will be needed by 2020 is very worrying

There is a growing reluctance to work as staff for the NHS, and trusts are facing huge agency and locum bills

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