Jeremy Corbyn accuses Theresa May of ‘fiddling the figures’ over NHS waiting times and being ‘in denial’ about crisis in PMQs clash
But the PM hit back, saying the NHS doesn't need a "bounced cheque", and that only a strong economy with the Tories could deliver a strong NHS
JEREMY Corbyn has accused Theresa May of "fiddling the figures" on NHS waiting times and said she was "in denial" about the extent of the crisis in the health service.
But the PM hit back, saying the NHS doesn't need a "bounced cheque", and that only a strong economy under the Tories could deliver a strong NHS.
After weeks of reports about the struggling health service, Mr Corbyn said at PMQs today that Mrs May was "in some degree of denial" about the situation in hospitals.
"If she won't listen to the Red Cross, who will she listen to?" he said, referring to their warning that the service was in a state of "humanitarian crisis."
"She seems to be in some degree of denial about this and won't listen to professional organisations who have spent their lifetime working in the NHS."
In an unusual show of solidarity, Labour MPs cried "shame" when their leader reeled off statistics about failings in the service.
"Last week, 485 people in England waited more than 12 hours on a trolley," Mr Corbyn said.
"Does she agree with him that the best way to solve the crisis is to fiddle the figures so that people are not seen to be waiting so long?" he asked.
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The Prime Minister was forced to admit that there were "pressures" on the NHS and a "small number" of unacceptable incidents had happened over the winter period.
But she blasted Mr Corbyn for using the Red Cross' description of the situation as a "humanitarian crisis".
"I think we have all seen humanitarian crises around the world, to use that description of a national health service, which last year saw 2.5 million more people treated in Accident and Emergency than six years ago, was irresponsible and overblown."
She hit back at claims that she was in denial over the situation, and that Labour would take care of the health service better.
"He talks about corporation tax and restoring the cuts in corporation tax, the Labour Party has already spent that money eight times, the last thing the NHS needs is a cheque from Labour that bounces," Mrs May said.
"Yesterday he proved that he is not only incompetent, but he would destroy our economy and that would devastate our NHS."
Mr Corbyn also mocked the PM's new plans, unveiled earlier this week, to create a "shared society".
"We've certainly got it. More people sharing hospital corridors on trolleys... more people sharing in anxiety created by this Government.
"Spend the money where it's needed, on people in desperate need in our hospitals!"