Labour promises new rights for mothers

MOTHERS will be given the right to have an home birth under a Labour Government, shadow health secretary Andy Burnham has revealed.
Shadow Health secretary Andy Burnham speaking during the Labour Party's annual conferenceShadow Health secretary Andy Burnham speaking during the Labour Party's annual conference
Shadow Health secretary Andy Burnham speaking during the Labour Party's annual conference

In a series of health announcements in his conference speech Mr Burnham said he would next year write to every household in England outlining his plans for the NHS.

That includes a new package for carers which will include protected funding for carer’s breaks, the right to ask for an annual health check and help with hospital car parking for carers, along with the right to a home birth.

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Mr Burnham said: “We will give all families the right to care in their home, if they want it.”

He added said Labour would offer better support to the terminally ill, making it easier for them to die at home if they want to.

He told delegates: “A national health and care service truly there from cradle to grave - from a new right to have a home-birth and a right to be in your own home at the end of your life, surrounded by the people you love, with your care provided on the NHS and no worry about its cost. These are the things that matter and this is about an NHS there for you at the most important moments in life.”

But Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Labour had failed to address NHS funding.

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Mr Hunt said: “You can’t fund the NHS if you bankrupt the economy – which is exactly what Labour did. By taking tough decisions on public spending, we have been able to increase the NHS budget by £12.7 billion over the course of this Parliament,.

“Once again at Labour conference the most important part of a speech was forgotten - Andy Burnham failed to even mention, the tragic events at Mid Staffs. We will only improve the NHS if we are honest about terrible problems which happened because of a target culture Labour have never taken responsibility for.”