Ed Davey urges action to winterproof NHS at conference

During a recent conference, the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, emphasized the urgent need for a taskforce aimed at winterproofing the NHS. He highlighted the annual expenditure of £376 million on addressing winter crises and proposed a £1.5 billion investment over four years to enhance the resilience of hospital wards, A&E departments, ambulance services, and patient discharge processes. Sir Ed urged Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to avoid repeating the Conservative Party's mistakes and to act decisively to safeguard the NHS. In his speech, Sir Ed opened with a light-hearted performance of ABBA's 'Take a Chance on Me,' setting a positive tone for his address. He criticized the current government's approach, suggesting that merely throwing money at problems is insufficient. Instead, he called for proactive investment to prevent future crises, asserting that this year should mark the end of winter challenges for the NHS. The conference also served as a platform for the Liberal Democrats to outline their ambitions to surpass the Conservatives as the second-largest party in the UK. Sir Ed pointed out that public trust is not guaranteed and must be earned continuously, warning that voters may turn to other parties if they feel let down. Additionally, he criticized Labour for its lack of focus on carers and urged a reconsideration of their stance on rejoining the single market. With upcoming county council elections, Sir Ed expressed confidence in the party's potential to gain seats, particularly in areas where Conservative councils have failed to meet public expectations.