Following talk about charging for NHS services, I will always fight to make sure access to our NHS is based on need and free at the point of use.

That is why the Liberal Democrats have committed to increase NHS funding by £8 billion per year by 2020. This is in line with recommendations made by the NHS Chief Executive last year. You might like to compare this with the commitments made by the other parties.

We must be realistic about the increasing pressure on NHS resources, including from the ageing population. That is why, in addition to increasing funding, the Liberal Democrats will set up a fundamental review of NHS and social care finances. This will allow us to assess challenges to NHS and social care budgets, to make sure we safeguard the health service in the long term.

I also strongly support the call by our Lib Dem Health minister, Norman Lamb, for all parties to come together and agree how we can protect health and care for the future, whoever is in government.

All parties need to work together for the good of our NHS: I suspect most people are less interested in seeing politicians squabbling about the NHS; they would rather see doctors and nurses free to offer the quality of care we all want for our families. That’s not too much to ask.