SO the Tories claim that the NHS is safe in their hands, and David Cameron vows “to back the NHS”.

That’s laughable when you consider the Conservatives’ history concerning the NHS over the past 30 years.

I seem to remember Thatcher using the same slogan prior to the 1979 election, then systematically slashing its funding, leaving it in crisis, and effectively selling off the service through PFI to the private sector.

History records that by the time the Tories were kicked out of office in 1997, waiting lists had risen to 400,000 with 284,000 people waiting six months or more for treatment.

There has been vast progress in the NHS since 1997. Investment has risen from £34.7bn in 97/98 to £96.2bn in 2008/9 thanks to Labour.

The mortality rate from heart disease alone is down 40 per cent, saving 180,000 lives.

Cancer death rates have dropped by 18 per cent with 99 per cent of suspected cases seen within two weeks of referral, the majority starting treatment within a month, saving 60,000 lives.

In 2008/9 virtually no-one waited more than 13 weeks – this is a vast improvement on 1998.

I do not believe Cameron’s vow to back the NHS. It’s as hollow as Thatcher’s was in 1997.

Labour is the only party which will attempt to protect the NHS.

DAVE ROBINSON, Meaden Hill, Headington, Oxford