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Mr Kennedy said he would have no ideological objections if using the private sector to help address the problem was feasible and cost effective.

On broader problems facing the NHS, he argued that the health service would benefit from a relaxation of central government control, and particularly Whitehall-set targets.

"The culture of targets and tick boxes, which has become the hallmark of Labour, stifles innovation and undermines the professionals' ability to use their own judgment. And it is retarding the ability of NHS Trusts to deliver services tailored to meet local needs."

Government had to retain overall responsibility for setting the broad framework for the NHS - for performance measures, collecting data, auditing and minimum standards of care, Mr Kennedy said. But it should relinquish its role in defining national targets.

The Liberal Democrats would slim down the central government functions, abolish Strategic Health Authorities and reduce the number of bodies which inspected and monitored NHS organisations. Savings would go back into frontline care.

Mr Kennedy outlined a range of other health policies, including free personal care for the elderly; an action programme to boost recruitment and retention of doctors, nurses and clinical staff; a preventative health agenda including free eye and dental checks and expanded screening programmes; and "personal care plans" for those with long-term illnesses.

Embargoed to 1300 Thursday January 20
KENNEDY ATTACKS 'HIDDEN' HOSPITAL WAITING LISTS

By John Deane, PA Chief Political Correspondent

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy called today for action to tackle the "hidden" waiting endured by patients before often serious conditions are diagnosed.

In a keynote speech at Westminster on his party's health policy, Mr Kennedy identified getting rid of waiting lists for diagnosis as a top priority.

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