Gordon Brown clashes with radio show caller over NHS

Gordon Brown defended Labour's record in the NHS as he clashed with a member of the public during a radio phone-in today.

But he was accused of talking "political spiel" as he hailed the Government's economic policies and highlighted Labour's commitment to guarantee tests for patients suspected of having cancer.

The Prime Minister was speaking to callers on BBC Radio Derby when he was challenged by a caller named Cheryl, from Buxton.

She said that, in 13 years, the country had moved from having a "very strong economy to a very bad economy" and complained that she saw no improvements in the NHS.

Mr Brown said the economy had improved and there were now thousands more doctors and nurses.

People no longer had to wait up to two years to be seen by a specialist, he insisted.

But the Premier appeared unable to bring the caller round, and she accused him of giving a "false" answer.

During the phone-in, Cheryl said: "Thirteen years ago we had a very strong economy, we were respected in Europe, we had the potential to improve all the health service and education.

"In 13 years we have gone from a very strong economy to a very bad economy and I can't see any improvements in the health service. All I can see is reconfiguration, reconfiguration, reconfiguration."

Mr Brown replied: "Cheryl, can I just say, on the economy, there are two and a half million people more in work, even after the recession, than there was in 1997.

"And I think, when we look to the future, with companies like Rolls-Royce and Toyota, with the determination to get the skills for the future, Britain has got a great opportunity..."

But he was interrupted by the caller: "Excuse me, I don't want to hear political spiel, I want to hear what you will do differently instead of reconfiguring public services."

Mr Brown replied: "I was answering your point about the economy first because I do think people remember there are more jobs now.

"On the NHS, do you not feel that it is right that we have given a guarantee to every patient?

"If you have got a fear about cancer, you will see a cancer specialist within two weeks and in the next Parliament they will be able to get a diagnostic test within one week."

Mr Brown added: "Do you not think it is right that we do that? Everybody will get specialist help within a few days."

But Cheryl said: "Why shouldn't people get specialist help if they have got cirrhosis of the liver?"

Mr Brown said: "Look, if you go to your doctor and you need an operation, that operation is going to be done within 18 weeks, the average is a lot less."

Cheryl came back: "Prime Minister, can I just stop you there because this all false. What happens is your GP refers you and you are then seen within 18 weeks as an outpatient.

"You then have a possible option of treatment and they don't say 'You need an operation, I will put you on the list' - it is all a time clock that keeps ticking."

But Mr Brown said he disagreed and pointed out that he and his family had a "great deal" to do with the NHS.

He added: "There is a lot of new investment, there is 80,000 new nurses, there is 30,000 more doctors. We have got more staff in."

He said there had been more investment in cancer care and said he was "sorry" but he had to disagree.