WHEN potential voters are asked about their priorities in the forthcoming election the Health Service is usually near the top of the list.

This means that health care in general and the NHS in particular is one of the key battlegrounds in the May General Election.

The Conservatives have worked hard to reassure the electorate that the NHS is safe in their hand in spite of long waits increasing at A&E departments - and a looming financial crisis.

With the cost of the NHS always an issue the Tories have emphasised that the financial outlook for the Health Service is dependent on the economy.

While the Government has been accused of wasting billions on an unnecessary reorganisation the Tories argue that the changes put more control into the hands of doctors and reduced red tape. However, creeping privatisation of NHS services has alarmed some voters.

Critics have accused the Coalition of under-funding the NHS but the Tories point out that the Health Service has been protected from the wider public sector cuts.

Prime Minister David Camerons use of the NHS, in relation to the care provided to his severely disabled son, Ivan, before he died in 2009, has undoubtedly been as asset.

As the party which created the NHS Labour always has an advantage when it comes to the Health Service.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnhams big idea is to create a new National Health and Care Service which would bring physical, mental and social care together in a single service (although the Tories are moving in that direction).

Mr Burnham also plans to repeal the Health and Social Care Act introduced by the Tories to open up NHS services to market forces.

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Health care is high on voters' priorities