A prominent supporter of Tony Blair’s health reforms is to advise the Conservatives, arguing the party is now “committed” to the NHS.
Professor David Kerr, a leading cancer specialist, will become shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley’s principal clinical adviser - a paid role.
He said efforts to increase patient choice under Mr Blair had been affected by a “blizzard” of targets.
But Labour says Tory plans to scrap its patient guarantees will be damaging.
News of Prof Kerr’s appointment comes on the eve of the Tories’ spring conference in Brighton, where leader David Cameron will seek to rally party supporters ahead of the general election - which must be held by June.
The party has made health a central plank of its manifesto in England, promising to protect NHS budgets from future public spending cuts.
The Tories said Prof Kerr’s endorsement showed a growing belief that their policies offered the best future for the health service.
Read more at BBC Health.
Tags: Election
