Political promises - what the manifestoes say

 'Putting patients first' is familiar rhetoric from all sides of the political spectrum.  On the one hand it's rather an odd admission - why would a health system put anyone but the patient 'first'?  On the other, 'patients first' has a wide variety of meanings - from giving choice - of hospitals and therapies - or simply cutting bureaucracy.

All three major political parties have now issued manifestoes.  The Liberal Democrats offer is here:  http://bit.ly/cVlD23 It includes a pledge to allow patients to register with more than one GP practice; to increase the role of pharmacists in primary care - and give people democratic control over local health services.

The Labour Party http://bit.ly/JH2ZR  point to achievements in shortening waiting lists and increasing the number of doctors.  They promise 3,600 more new psychological therapists treating depression and anxiety by 2011.

The Conservative Party says http://bit.ly/ayVXb0  it is committed to an NHS free at the point of use and promise a 'patient centred NHS' - giving people data to make choices about hospitals and GPs.  They also promise to give GPs the power to hold patient budgets and commission care on their behalf.