John Mann MP: The NHS is often seen as the greatest achievements of the Labour Party, and we will celebrate its 60th anniversary of its creation on the 5th July. What is the Labour Government doing to further the achievements of the NHS in the future?

 Alan Johnson MP:  Regarding GPs, Labour is extending GP opening hours so that most GP practices will be open for at least one weekend or evening session a week by next year. Furthermore, Labour is opening over 100 new GP practices in the areas where they’re most needed, along with 152 new GP-led health centres across the country to be open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

John Mann MP: Obviously this will be beneficial for local constituents in Bassetlaw who want to see their GPs, but what is being done to improve the waiting times situation in our hospitals?

Alan Johnson MP: By the end of this year almost nobody will have to wait more than 18 weeks for hospital treatment – and most waits are already shorter than this . I am sure that your constituents will also be interested to know that to help beat heart disease, we will make sure everyone aged between 40 and 74 is offered access to free health checks on the NHS from 2009, which will help to save thousands of lives. On the subject of health checks, by the end of 2010, an additional 500,000 women will be screened for breast cancer and two million men and women will be screened for bowel cancer, and this year we will offer teenage girls the opportunity to be vaccinated against cervical cancer

John Mann MP: I’m sure my constituents in Bassetlaw will be very pleased to hear this, but would also want to know what is being done to combat recent hospital ‘superbugs’?
 
Alan Johnson MP: All hospitals have been deep cleaned and over 5,000 matrons are helping in the fight against MRSA. By March 2009 every non-emergency patient will be screened for MRSA.

John Mann MP: Thank you very much for your time Mr Johnson, I am sure that my constituents will be very glad to hear that after 60 years, the Labour Party is still improving the NHS.