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Member of Parliament for Bradford East@DavidWardMP on Twitter and Facebook |
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David Ward MP <>
Labour failed to tackle health inequality in Bradford – says David Ward MP
March 11, 2011 12:14 PM
Labour's stewardship of the NHS has left "a legacy of missed opportunities" according to local MP David Ward, after research revealed high levels of inequality in key health indicators.
Despite announcing in 1997 that reducing health inequality would be a key priority for the new Labour government, figures show that Bradford still lags behind the national average in life expectancy, obesity and infant mortality.
The Coalition's proposals put forward in the Health and Social Care Bill will give back the responsibility for public health to local communities and empower them to tackle these inequalities.
Commenting, David Ward said:
"New Labour entered government in 1997 and announced that they would put reducing health inequalities at the heart of tackling the root causes of ill-health. Instead after 13 years of government, Labour's real legacy is a story of missed opportunities.
"Talking health inequality only became an NHS priority in 2006 so it is no surprise that people from the poorest parts of Bradford still have 9 years shorter life expectancy than those living in wealthier areas.
"The Coalition plans to give local communities the powers to tackle their own health challenges rather than dictating policy from the centre. I hope that this can bring about real change in reversing the scandalous health inequalities which have built up in areas like Bradford."