Commenting on news that the Government is planning to recruit 3,000 "community matrons" to look after the care of people with long-term conditions, Paul Burstow MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said:
"Ministers just can't kick the habit of meddling with the delivery of healthcare at the frontline. This proposal has all the hallmarks of an idea dreamt up and floated with the elections in mind rather than meeting the needs of those with long-term healthcare.
"There is already a chronic shortage of district nurses from which these community matrons would be drawn. Rather than focusing on the headlines Ministers should be backing the NHS in its efforts to recruit and retain such key frontline staff.
"People with long-term health conditions have had a raw deal from the Government and will not be impressed by token gestures."
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