Expectations were understandably high for Tuesday’s Healthcare debate, a hustings organised by key NHS organisations and thinktanks with Jeremy Hunt from Conservatives, Andy Burnham for Labour, Norman Lamb from the Liberal Democrats and Julia Reid from Ukip. Before long #healthdebate was trending on Twitter and professionals, healthcare organisations and the public were keen to voice their priorities both before and during the discussion.
@GdnHealthcare community based health care, telecast and telemedicine and social care free at the point of delivery
— maesglas48 (@maesglas48) April 21, 2015
The health secretary, Hunt, caused a stir by arriving late, and from the off it was clear that he and Burnham were going head to head.
Currently an empty chair for @Jeremy_Hunt as #nhs debate begins without him pic.twitter.com/f4MnFN8spe
— rachel younger (@rachyoungeritv) April 21, 2015
For the the most part Burnham and Hunt dominated proceedings. Hunt mentioned the scandal at Mid Staffordshire hospital several times and Burnham placed a strong focus on the cost of agency staff:
Burnham: "Trusts are in the grip of private staffing agencies" #healthdebate
— Guardian Healthcare (@GdnHealthcare) April 21, 2015
There were calmer interjections from the Lib Dem’s Lamb who focused on mental health provision throughout and Ukip’s representative Reid. The latter was covering for a colleague at short notice and largely read from prepared notes.
When it comes to patients’ say in their own care there were a range of responses from the panel:
#healthdebate @normanlamb majors on self-care, @Jeremy_Hunt wants named clinicians, @andyburnhammp wants fundamental rights in constitution
— Tim Gardner (@TimGardnerTHF) April 21, 2015
The panel were split on the ramifications of Manchester’s plans for localised delivery of health and social care:
@SarahCookUnite asks question about #devomanc - @Jeremy_Hunt backs it, @andyburnhammp has misgivings, @normanlamb excited about it
— Rob Webster (@NHSConfed_RobW) April 21, 2015
There were also mixed responses on staff pay:
Andy Burnham says no more real pay cuts for NHS staff-J Hunt and N Lamb says pay important but only if trusts don't cut staff #healthdebate
— Hugh Pym (@BBCHughPym) April 21, 2015
Consensus on panel that getting more clinicians into system relies on changing roles and cultures, not (just) pay #healthdebate
— Innovation_Unit (@Innovation_Unit) April 21, 2015
Lamb placed a particular focus on social care funding and mental health waiting times:
.@normanlamb: The parties compete over funding for the NHS but social care is left out of the equation #healthdebate
— The King's Fund (@TheKingsFund) April 21, 2015
He was also keen to draw attention to preventative healthcare and to ensure funding was appropriately protected.
Lamb: public health needs to be centre stage. We may need to look at ringfencing budget for health and care. #healthdebate @HealthFdn
— Cathy Irving (@CathyIrvingTHF) April 21, 2015
The closing statements drew on Labour’s commitment to repeal the Health and Social Care Act, the Liberal Democrats’ focus on mental health parity of care, the Conservatives’ belief that they could offer the NHS economic stability and Ukip’s determination to avoid health tourism.
