Lib Dems vote for NHS reform

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has avoided another setback to his fledgling leadership by pushing crucial NHS reform proposals through his party's spring conference.

But Mr Clegg was forced to make concessions to ensure he did not attract more negative press after losing three frontbenchers over a referendum for the EU Lisbon treaty in the week.

Party delegates in Liverpool approved the plans for a 'patient's contract' freeing the NHS from central government control.

Under the Lib Dem plans elected health boards managing the NHS would be accountable for its performance, most of whom would be directly elected. Mr Clegg had conceded a third of the boards would be local councillors.

In a Liberal Democrat government patients would have the right to receive private treatment if waiting times could not be met – a measure designed to encourage high standards and guarantee them to patients.

Health spokesperson Norman Lamb said he was "delighted" with the result and described the development as "very significant" for his party.

"The government's obsession with targets has distorted clinical priorities without giving specific rights to patients," he said.

"Entitling patients to be treated in a private hospital if their wait breached a defined period would provide a real incentive for local health boards to ensure that hospitals deliver that treatment on time."

All elderly people requiring care would receive a 'care guarantee' based on need rather than ability to pay. This means ending free personal care for the elderly, a measure already in place in Scotland.