
The Tories have announced they would cut the rate of spending on the NHS if they win the next general election.> Full Coverage
The Tories have announced they would cut the rate of spending on the NHS if they win the next general election. Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley warned that health spending was "by no means a blank cheque" and NHS services would have to "tighten their belts just to meet demand". The Tories had previously pledged to increase spending on health, education and aid - and suggested the axe would fall on other departments. But Mr Lansley said the Conservatives would only guarantee "small increases" in health spending and could not match Labour's investment.
In a speech to NHS managers in Birmingham, he said: "We've pledged real-terms increases in NHS expenditure to help our health service rise to the challenges of the 21st century. "But if the last 12 years has taught us anything it's that spending more money alone will not guarantee improvements. Our commitment will still mean a significantly reduced rate of expenditure, and it's by no means a blank cheque. "Even with small increases, NHS services everywhere will have to tighten their belts just to meet demand. A real-terms increase in expenditure has to go hand in hand with real savings, which can be ploughed back into front-line services to meet the needs of an ageing population and drag up our health care results." Mr Lansley's speech came a day after Chancellor Alistair Darling signalled that Labour would cut public services after the recession. The Chancellor said he would not flinch from "hard choices on public spending" - but stopped short of announcing specific plans. Mr Lansley said that over the last decade, the increase in public resources had been "greater in the NHS than anywhere else". Tory leader David Cameron's top team has this week stepped up its rhetoric on belt tightening. Mr Cameron has pledged to end subsidised alcohol and food for MPs, and promised to reduce the number of MPs and ministerial cars.
Tories vow to cut NHS spending rate
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NHS reforms are 'failing'People are finding it no easier to see an NHS dentist a year after reforms came into effect,
the British Dental Association said. » More Find a dentist in your area
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The biggest shake-up of dentistry in 50 years was intended to remove dentists from the "drill and fill" treadmill, improve patient access and lead to a greater focus on preventative work.
But one year after a controversial new dental contract was introduced, the BDA said the anticipated benefits have failed to materialise.
Its research found that 85% of 394 dentists surveyed believe the new contract has not improved patient access to NHS dentistry.
Almost all (97%) think it has not removed dentists from the work "treadmill" and 93% feel the new system does not encourage a more preventative approach.
Furthermore, 95% of dentists questioned felt less confident about the future of NHS dentistry than they did two years ago.
Under the new contract introduced last April, dentists are paid for carrying out a set number of units of dental activity (UDAs) over the course of the year.
But last month, a Department of Health memo, reported in the Health Service Journal, suggested patients may have to resort to emergency care or find an alternative practice because their dentists have fulfilled their annual contracts too soon.
Health minister Rosie Winterton said: "We have made a significant extra investment over the last three years - with annual budgets increasing by £400 million (in real terms).
"The overall picture is that, despite the speculation, the number of dentists is growing and rather than leaving they are actually keen to expand their work for the NHS - hardly indicative of a failing system."
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Tube ski stunt slammed London Underground bosses have condemned a man who filmed himself skiing down the longest escalator of the Tube network. » Report and videoTube bosses slam escalator ski stunt
Tube bosses have condemned a man who filmed himself skiing down the longest escalator of the London underground network.
The man posted on YouTube a 60-second video of himself zooming down the 200ft (60m) escalator at Angel station with a camera strapped to his head.
He can be seen climbing the escalator, putting the skis on and beginning his high-speed descent of the north London station.
But Tube bosses were unimpressed, saying: "This is a dangerous, stupid and irresponsible act that could have resulted in serious injury or death to not only the individual concerned but also other passengers.
"London
Underground will press for the police to take the strongest possible
action against anyone attempting a similar act on the tube network."
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BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona was taken to a Buenos Aires hospital in an ambulance on Wednesday after falling ill and was undergoing tests, the hospital said.
Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, has battled cocaine addiction and in recent weeks appeared overweight.
A statement from the Guemes hospital did not specify what Maradona was suffering from, but said his hospitalization was "not related to an addiction to dangerous drugs."
Dr. Alfredo Cahe, Maradona's personal physician, told Radio Mitre the 46-year-old former star was "fine" but "has had problems for some time with food, (alcoholic) drinks and tobacco." Maradona was likely to remain hospitalized for several days, he added.
Maradona's return to a hospital was a reminder of the repeated health problems -- many of them drug-related --- he has faced since retiring from the game in 1997.
Cahe had said just days ago that Maradona had put on weight and smoked too many cigars, and was planning a trip to Switzerland to get himself back into shape.
Television images showed an ambulance pulling up to a back entrance at the hospital. Moments later, Maradona's two teen-age daughters entered the building.
In 2000, Maradona was hospitalized with a severe heart problem while vacationing in Uruguay and tested positive for cocaine before undergoing drug rehabilitation in Cuba.
Four years later, he spent 10 days in intensive care with heart and breathing problems and reentered rehabilitation.
He underwent a stomach-stapling operation in 2005, shedding around 30 kgs (66 lbs) and said he was fully recovered and went on to briefly host his own television program.
Since then, he has played in several promotional soccer games with other retired players from across Latin America.
Maradona was suspended for drugs while playing in Italy in 1991 and kicked out of the 1994 World Cup in the United States after failing a drug test, which he blamed on his coaching team for buying the wrong over-the-counter medicine.
It may not be out until 17th August but you can watch the world exclusive trailer here on Yahoo! Movies first.
Watch the world exclusive trailer now!
Based on the best-selling novel by Neil Gaiman, Stardust takes audiences on an adventure that begins in a village in England and ends up in an imaginary world. Watch our exclusive clip starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro.
To celebrate Danny Boyle's fabulous new movie, we want you to submit your sunshine-inspired photos. The winner - who will be picked by Danny himself - will win a holiday to Tromso, Norway where there's 24 hours of sunshine for 3 months!
Enter the Sunshine Moments competition now!
Arrrr me hearties! Captain Jack and his merry bunch of men are back for another fun-filled installment. This time round, Elizabeth and Will must team up with enemy Captain Barbossa in a quest to free Jack from Davy Jones' locker.
Prepare to battle with our 300 movie special! Download warrior wallpapers, watch gruesome clips, check out premiere photos and watch our interviews with the star of the movie Gerard Butler and the director Zach Synder.
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