NHS facing the future - Ann Widdecombe

"The NHS has become a three-tier health service because successive governments have refused to admit that it cannot meet, and never will be able to meet, every last demand that is made upon it. We therefore have to find a different way of delivering health if we are not to end up with rationing on a large scale". In 1998 Ann Widdecombe delivered a much acclaimed speech to the Conservative Party Conference, urging just such an approach, but now in 2012 we are still using the 1948 model. Ann will argue it is time for political courage and a re-assessment of our mechanisms, particularly our financial approach to health, and that those who can should be encouraged to take greater responsibility for their own health