Alan Milburn has promised improvements in the NHS before the next general election.

In setting out how the government intends to use the £40 billion awarded in the Budget, the health secretary told the Commons that the NHS would be able to recruit 35,000 more nurses and 15,000 doctors by 2008.

Forum Response: Macmillan Cancer Relief

Peter Cardy, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, told ePolitix.com: "Macmillan Cancer Relief believes that money alone is not enough. There must be transparent mechanisms for tracking resources right down to the frontline, as a recent parliamentary report recommended. It is crucial that systems are developed now to ensure resources actually reach cancer services and do not disappear into the NHS black hole. Hopefully the new independent auditor and annual report will make a real difference.

"We also welcome the Wanless Report's encouragement of greater public engagement in the NHS 'in order to increase levels of health awareness and to establish a more effective partnership between the public and the health system'. Working in partnership with people living with cancer drives everything we do and informs Macmillan's CancerVOICES project to support patient involvement in the development of cancer services."

Forum Response: Help the Aged

Jonathan Ellis, health policy officer at Help the Aged, told ePolitix.com: "Help the Aged welcomes the extra resources promised for the NHS and hopes that some of this new money will help to combat age discrimination in health and social care. The proposal to introduce independent auditing and inspection of the NHS, reporting to parliament, is another very welcome development.

"However, the proposal to allow hospitals to charge local authorities for each day that an older person unnecessarily spends in a hospital bed is badly misguided. This system would drive a wedge between the fields of medical and social care by shifting all responsibility onto already over-stretched local authorities. It will give hospitals an incentive to discharge 'bed-blocking' older people before they are ready to leave, and places unacceptable pressure on the patient at a very vulnerable time.

"Moreover, the additional six per cent of expenditure promised to local authorities, ostensibly to boost services to older people, is already more than offset by the existing overspend on those services."

Forum Response: Unison

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, told ePolitix.com: "Unison is pleased that the secretary of state has paid tribute to the whole health team, who do a remarkable job, against the odds, and under enormous pressure.

"The government has set ambitious targets for recruitment into the NHS, but it is important to remember that we need more staff overall, not just more nurses and doctors. We look forward to that recognition being reflected in the new pay system outlined as part of the Agenda for Change talks.

"Unison believes that transparency is vital to restore public confidence in the NHS and the introduction of an independent monitoring system will allow more transparency. The public and staff have a right to see how their money is being spent.

"However, Unison does have serious concerns about the establishment of Foundation Hospitals and we made our views very clear to the government. It seems that they have modified their position, but we will be seeking urgent clarification over their role and powers."

Forum Response: Age Concern

Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern in England, told ePolitix.com: "Age Concern congratulates the government on recognising that investment in social care is just as important as investing in a good health service. It is a landmark announcement for older people as they need Social Services support more than most.

"We are concerned that the new responsibilities on Social Services to ensure that hospital beds are made available as soon as possible, could result in premature discharges of older people. Social Services may now also be forced to concentrate their resources on getting people out of hospital instead of helping them at home.

"We are pleased that the government has acknowledged that care homes are not the only solution for older people who need support after hospital treatment. If this new funding is targeted efficiently thousands more older people could remain independent for longer in their own homes."