MSP calls for radical health reforms

The conference debated the health service

The Tories should "leave no stone unturned" in their search for ideas on how to improve the NHS in Scotland, the party's annual conference has heard.

Deputy health spokesman Ben Wallace told delegates in Perth that a mixture of public and privately-provided healthcare was the way ahead.

But other delegates warned that the party would again become known as "the vandals of the health service" if Tories continued to talk about cutting taxes.

Ben Wallace: "New ideas on funding"

Health was the topic for debate on Saturday morning as the party's conference entered its final day at Dewar's Conference Centre.

Mr Wallace, who was proposing the motion, said: "The future for us will be to examine the best practice in Europe, to take forward new ideas on funding and delivery of healthcare and not to be afraid to make the case for a radically-reformed healthcare system."

The MSP said this would be "a system that mixes both private and public funding and is allowed to deliver away from political interference.

"A system that empowers the individual to choose the best healthcare to suit them and a system that produces a better standard for the unemployed and vulnerable, not a worse one."

Manifesto commitments

Health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon also argued that the health service should make greater use of the private sector.

And she accused Labour of breaking its 1997 election promises over the NHS.

"After five years in government at a UK level and three years of Lib-Lab coalition in the Scottish Parliament, we can now judge Labour on their manifesto commitments," she said.

Delegates heard a warning over tax cuts

"Since 1997, waiting times have risen, the number of out patients has fallen by over 63,000, the number of in patients being treated has gone down by 5,000, medical activity has decreased, while waiting times have increased.

"We need more Conservatives in the Scottish Parliament."

However, there was also a warning against further tax cuts from one delegate.

Party member Grace Campbell said: "If we go out there and start talking about tax cuts then nobody is going to listen.

"People believe that tax cuts equal a lack of commitment to public services. The Conservative Party in Scotland has to be committed 100% to public service reform.

"I urge caution because if we are not careful, we will be perceived as being vandals of the health service, just as we were before."