The Chancellor, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP attended an event hosted by Age Concern and the King’s Fund on Saturday 16 June to listen to the views of the public and NHS professionals. Over 100 people discussed the key challenges facing the NHS today and in the future.

After listening to members of the public, NHS managers, doctors, nurses and other health professionals, Gordon Brown offered his own reflections on these issues.

Listen to the speech

Listen to the Chancellor's keynote address (11 min 47 sec)

Click on the links above to listen now, or download the audio files by right-clicking each link above and selecting 'Save Target As'.

Focus of the debate

The debate aims to increase understanding of the views of the public, particularly older people, and health professionals on the NHS and its future.

It also explored what values and principles are important in any future reforms of the NHS and someof the ideas currently being floated about such as a from of independence and a formal constitution.

The deliberative event focused on four themes:

• the postcode lottery in service provision
• access to health care
• personal responsibility and public health
• specialisation and reorganisation of hospital services

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, said:

“We warmly welcome the Chancellor to our joint event with the King’s Fund. It is vital that policy makers listen to the voice of older people – the heaviest users of the NHS – and to practitioners and managers.

“The NHS has improved massively over the last ten years, but there are still challenges. Tackling the issues that matter to older people, such as malnutrition, mental health, chiropody and long-term care, is the only way to ensure we have a health service fit for the future.”

Notes to editors

• Members of the public who would like information on health services for older people can contact the Age Concern information line on 0800 00 99 66
• Media enquiries should be directed to Samuel Heath of Age Concern on 07071 243 243 or Daniel Reynolds at the King’s Fund on 07831 554927

- Age Concern England is a national voluntary organisation aiming to improve opportunities and quality of life for people over 50. The charity works through campaigning, policy development, research, information provision, publishing, training, grant-making and international and European work.

- The King’s Fund is an independent charitable foundation working for better health, especially in London. It carries out research, policy analysis and development activities, working on our own, in partnerships, and through funding. It is a major resource to people working in health and social care, offering leadership development programmes; seminars and workshops; publications; information and library services; and conference and meeting facilities. For further information, please visit: www.kingsfund.org.uk .