THE future of the National Health Service is another of the major issues that could decide the outcome of the General Election.

Locally it has been a difficult period for the Royal Bolton Hospital where a major incident was declared in January as doctors and nurses struggled to cope with an overwhelming number of patients in need of treatment.

Green party candidate Laura Diggle, who works as an occupational therapist in Bury, said: “I work to empower people and improve their independence and wellbeing.

“I see many vulnerable people, and I have seen the negative impact of ‘politics as usual’.

“The Green Party will reverse healthcare privatisation and repeal the Health and Social Care Act."

UKIP's Harry Lamb believes that hard-working frontline staff are being let down by the "NHS system".

He said: “The NHS is short of funding but only today in the national press we read of chief executives getting more than £1 million each in salary packages.

"No wonder the top management of the NHS is so poor with leeches like this in charge.

“UKIP will keep the NHS free for all UK citizens."

Steve Rock, who has worked in the home care sector, says the Liberal Democrats will invest in making the NHS a better service for everyone.

He said: “We have pledged to invest billions in the health service and I want to see an NHS were you can see your GP within a few days and see a consultant and receive hospital treatment when needed.

“I would rather pay a little more National Insurance and have more investment and real care from the cradle to the grave."

Tory candidate James Daly said: “Only the Conservatives will provide the funding the NHS in Bolton needs and with the devolution of the entire health budget to Greater Manchester.

"Bolton North East needs an MP who will champion patient interests working closely with all parties and with local knowledge make sure Bolton has the NHS services it needs."

David Crausby said that Labour were the only party who can be trusted on the NHS.

He added: “The Conservatives, with Lib Dem support have introduced new legislation that will rapidly increase privatisation of our NHS, while UKIP leader Nigel Farage wants to scrap it all together.

“Locally we need to improve access to GPs so that nobody needs to wait more than two days for an appointment."