Although it has now been forgotten as a result of the Government’s Brexit woes, earlier this week a 10-year plan for the NHS was unveiled – and like Brexit, I think it has some serious shortcomings.

Talk of moving money towards prevention is welcome, but hollow given that the Government has removed £80 million from this year’s public health budgets for local authorities – which is approximately a 30% reduction since 2015.

The plan also fails to recognise the underfunding of social care which is currently more than £2 billion underfunded and will rise to £4 billion by 2025.  This means more people going into hospital than is necessary and staying there longer than is necessary.

There is no recognition here of the need to create parity between physical health and mental health.  And finally, I think the claims that we have an efficient system are far-fetched, the NHS is over-bureaucratised and consists of a series of warring factions, departments and Trusts.  Local control needs to be given to the NHS bodies under democratic local structures, that can be genuinely held accountable.

If we love our NHS we need to change it.  This plan goes some small way to achieving this but shows once again the reluctance of NHS bosses to tackle crucial issues.  Delivering this ambitious plan is likely to be fatally undermined by insufficient resources, a staffing crisis and a failure to address the disastrous situation with social care – that is continuing to threatened Surrey County Council’s existence.

The Government’s commitment to a new focus on prevention rings hollow when the very services which help prevent elderly people ending up in hospital are at breaking point and vital public health budgets are progressively cut back.

The Lib Dems are continuing to demand that the Government works with other parties to achieve a genuine long term, sustainable settlement for the NHS and social care.  We will keep making the case for a new, dedicated NHS and care tax to guarantee a modern, effective and efficient NHS and care system which will be there for our loved ones when they need it.