Misquotes from Cameron and burying bad news on the NHS

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

David Cameron has already been in trouble for misquoting Labour politicians over the NHS. John Healey has been misquoted in the house on numerous occasions by the PM, which the shadow health secretary has asked for an apology over. Yet it seems that Cameron hasn’t learned his lesson. The former MP Cameron quoted in the house (which led to calm down dear-gate), has accused Cameron of distorting his views.

Although today this is unlikely to garner much attention, it suggests that Cameron is happy to play fast and loose with the truth when it comes to the NHS.

Much worse though was the announcement today that Monitor, the NHS regulator, that hospitals “may need to make efficiency savings around 50% higher than already demanded by health chiefs because of factors such as higher-than-expected inflation.”

That such an announcement should be made on the day of the royal wedding – and at the start of a four day wedding – is outrageous, and smacks of burying bad news. That’s exactly what John Healey has accused the government of. Speaking to PoliticsHome, Healey said:

“With all eyes on the Royal Wedding, the Government is trying to bury bad news on the NHS.”

“This confirms the combination of broken promises on NHS funding and reorganisation is putting a huge strain on hospitals. David Cameron must halt his high-risk, high cost overhaul of the NHS.”

“The Prime Minister promised to protect the NHS but his health policies are piling extra pressure on health services, and patients are starting to see the NHS going backwards again under the Tories.”

It will gain little traction today, but there will no doubt be many hacks who are angry when they realise that such important announcements are being snuck out while all eyes are on today’s celebrations…