Liberal Democrat Conference: Sir Ed Davey's party conference speech from Bournemouth

Sir Ed Davey will call for a new legal right for cancer patients to start treatment within two months of an urgent referral, using a keynote speech to underline the Liberal Democrats’ health pledges.

The Lib Dem leader has pledged £4 billion in order to deliver the plan over five years as he closes what could be the party’s last annual conference before a general election expected next year.

The Conservative Government already has a target for cancer patients to start treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral, but not all do.

Some 62.6% who had their first treatment in July after an urgent referral had waited under two months, up from 59.2% in June, according to latest health service performance data.

The Lib Dems want the pledge to be enshrined in law, which they say would make ministers more accountable for failures to meet the target.

It is understood this would involve patients reporting complaints to the health ombudsman, starting a process which could ultimately end with the Government facing legal action under the plan.

NHS Confederation welcomed the commitment but cast doubt on how it would guarantee patients are seen within two months.

Subscribe to the Evening Standard: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Evening-S...
for latest breaking news from the UK, US and around the world, plus podcasts and features.

Evening Standard on socials:
Check out our full video catalog:    / londoneveningstandard  
Videos, daily editorial and more: https://www.standard.co.uk/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/eveningstandard
Follow us on Twitter:   / eveningstandard  
and Instagram:   / evening.standard