The Tories have attacked Labour for failing the country's "most vulnerable" sick people

Highlighting figures that show the number of patients waiting for heart operations has increased by 5,000 since 1997, Dr Liam Fox has accused the government of letting down those who need treatment the most.

"The government is failing patients with heart problems, the very people in need of the most urgent care," he said.

The shadow health secretary argued that an increase from 36,000 to 41,000 in the numbers of patients waiting for cardiac treatment is evidence of Tony Blair's broken promises.

"Labour said they would reduce waiting times for heart operations," he said.

"Figures not only show that there are more people waiting for heart operations than in 1997, but that the problem is getting worse. There was an increase of 3000 over only nine months."

Fox believes the government's control culture and Whitehall-imposed targets have created a situation where the most ill are often forced to wait in line.

"Heart patients are amongst the most vulnerable of those waiting for operations. It is not acceptable that they should be forced to wait," he said.

"Worse still, everybody knows the government's obsession with meaningless targets means that patients with minor conditions are often treated more quickly.

"The sickest must be treated first. The most vulnerable must be the priorities."