CAMPAIGNERS slammed Labour’s NHS pledges as “not fit for the future” today, urging the next government to declare a national health emergency to repair the damage from 14 years of Tory austerity. 

Keep Our NHS Public pointed out that Labour’s manifesto offers no commitment to investment in the NHS, which currently has a shortfall of £40 billion a year compared to France.

They slammed the party for instead prioritising “reforms” and failing to commit to ending wasteful and damaging investment in the private sector.

It comes after shadow health secretary Wes Streeting announced in April that if Labour wins the general election, it will perform “major surgery” on the NHS and increase reliance on the private sector in an attempt to cut waiting lists.

Campaigners also highlighted that there is no offer of full pay restoration for NHS staff, nor an end in sight to the inhumane policy of charging undocumented people for healthcare.

The group is urging the incoming government to declare a “national health emergency” to trigger emergency measures to deal with the life-threatening crisis the service is currently in.

Keep Our NHS Public co-chairman Dr Tony O’Sullivan said: “After 14 years of rising pressures on the NHS and its staff and the damage done, it will take emergency measures to urgently restore the NHS to a safe, strong service.

“The government is almost certainly going to be Labour. 

“If Labour stands by its manifesto, refuses to give the NHS the funds it needs to address waiting times and unmet need, and fulfils its threat to fund the private sector, it will be furthering the downward spiral of the NHS as a public service unable to meet the needs of the population.”