The Liberal Democrats and UKIP have outlined their plans for the NHS in their pre-election manifestos.
The Lib Dems have committed to investing £8 billion into the health service by 2020, to plug the funding gap outlined by Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England, in the Five Year Forward View. They have also pledged to end the disparity between mental and physical health by with a £500 million investment into mental health services and the creation of waiting time standards. The party has also committed to creating a package of support for carers, which includes a £250 'care bonus' each year.
UKIP have pledged that all GP services will be open for at least one evening each week, and have ruled out any charges for attending appointments in general practices. It has also committed to combating privatisation in the NHS, by stopping the use of Private Finance Initiatives, and ensuring that the health service remains free at the point of care. The party would also see migrants denied access to the health services if they have not spent five years paying National Insurance, or do not have an NHS-approved private insurance.