Cllr Michael Mullaney calls for extra NHS funding

Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr Michael Mullaney has today called on the Government to urgently commit up to £1.5bn extra for the NHS.

This was backed by Liberal Democrat Health Minister Norman Lamb who has called on the Government to free up extra cash for the NHS in the upcoming Autumn Statement.

The Liberal Democrats want some of the extra funding to focus on improving mental health care particularly for children and young people, a key priority for the party.

Cllr Michael Mullaney said:

"Liberal Democrats in Hinckley and Bosworth know how vital NHS services are to local residents. This is why we campaigned successfully to save Hinckley's Ambulance Station.And this is why I'm calling on the Government to commit up to £1.5bn extra to protect our NHS.

"This extra money will make a big difference across the country, ensuring our NHS remains the envy of the world."

Liberal Democrat Health Minister Norman Lamb said:

"Liberal Democrats want to create opportunity for everyone by building a stronger economy and a fairer society. That means properly funding our NHS for the future, and providing better care, both for physical and mental health.

"But this needs to start straight away. Too often politicians take the easy way out and delay big spending decisions in the hope they become someone else's problem. Doing that would betray patients. The NHS needs significantly more money to help trusts adapt to the changing needs of our population and it can't afford to wait.

"That's why securing extra money for the NHS must be a high priority for the whole Government in next month's Autumn Statement. And we want at least an extra billion pounds put in every year in the next Parliament too."