With a general election nearing, Gordon Brown, today, set out plans to reform the health service, promising quicker access to cancer specialists and one-to-one nursing.

Given the planned cuts in spending by the major parties, both Labour and Conservatives have said they will ring-fence spending on health. In a money saving venture, Brown said he hoped the new measures would save £2billion in care costs over three years.

Brown also said that as many as 10,000 lives could be saved through detection of cancer in the early stages, referral to a specialist within two weeks of seeing a doctor and one week guarantee for receiving the results of any tests.

"Our plans to reform our community and primary care services will include a commitment to deliver over the next five years dedicated nursing for all cancer patients -- a commitment that we expect will benefit around 1.6 million patients, offering truly first class care, in their own homes," Brown said according to advance excerpts of a speech.