THE NHS is the biggest issue for most people in this general election. Every day I hear stories of wonderful dedicated care, but sadly also reports of cancelled operations and lengthy waiting lists.

Recently a friend’s husband had to wait 12 hours in A&E for a bed. This newspaper’s reports about the County Hospital’s debts or minor injuries units being closed are deeply concerning.

Our last MP praised Hereford and Ross hospitals, but then he voted for the funding cuts that have shrunk local authority social care and put more pressure on hospitals and hard-working health professionals. These cuts, and the legal requirement for the NHS to tender for services, jeopardise our care.

The coalition government’s 2012 Health and Social Care Act requires the NHS to be run more like a business, putting corporate profits ahead of our wellbeing. The practice of tendering for health services is inefficient and encourages private businesses to cherry-pick what makes them most money.

Like me, friends who are doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants worry that if re-elected, the Conserv- atives will further fragment the NHS so it will barely be a national service any more. Nothing is more important than our health, and the Green Party believes it should never be up for auction. The NHS belongs to us all, and is the envy of the world.

We will fight for a publicly funded, publicly provided health service; repeal the Health and Social Care Act; and make mental health a higher priority.

As a Green politician, I know how issues like housing, transport, education and environmental protection affect our health. We will improve housing, treasure our green spaces for exercise and leisure, protect our soil, air and water from pollution, encourage walking and cycling, and ensure that schools provide healthy meals and health education.