State of the NHS

Ben Woolvin The Politics Show South West

Pogramme examines controversial changes in NHS

The Politics Show in the South West this week highlights the state of the NHS in the region.

Political Editor Martyn Oates looks at the broad successes and failures under Labour over the last ten years and puts them to Health Minister Ben Bradshaw.

The programme looks at controversial moves including the use of private companies to deliver NHS healthcare in treatment centres and the contention between GPs and the government over polyclinics.

Critics tell the programme that the NHS is over-centralized, autocratic and unaccountable with patient power to influence decisions eroded.

Health care

Save for your own care, or should State pay?

Health reporter Marcus Wraight looks at the issue of funding long-term care in the South West.

The costs of a care can run into thousands of pounds per person- but who should foot the bill?

Should you save for your own care, or should the State pay?

The programme hears from those who have won lengthy battles for the NHS to fund their care and from those still fighting for NHS support.

MP's hero

Maisie Pullyblank: 'MP hero'

And we meet a grandmother from Plymouth who was invited to the House of Commons for a tea party.

Each MP was asked to nominate one person in their constituency who has made a difference in their community by volunteering.

Maisie Pullyblank has been declared an 'MP hero' for her work at the Leigham Community Hall.

Watch The Politics Show for the South West, with Jon Sopel and Martyn Oates on Sunday 29 June at 1200 BST on BBC One.

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