The Lib Dems say government targets are distorting priorities

Charles Kennedy also promised to end all "hidden" waits for treatment as he launched his party's health plans.

The Lib Dems said they would publish all waiting times for NHS tests and scans, and stop government targets distorting decisions on healthcare.

The Tories say the Lib Dem plans will increase bureaucracy. Labour said targets had cut waits for treatment.

QUICK GUIDE Health issues

Announcing the prescriptions review, Mr Kennedy said: "Many people with long term illnesses like Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis have to pay for their life saving drugs, while people with diabetes and epilepsy get them free.

"The current system means people on low incomes have to budget for their medicine - and often end up taking lower doses to save money."

The aim would be a fairer system with free prescriptions for more people with chronic conditions.

He added that �225m had been set aside to implement the findings of the independent review due to report in a year's time.

The current scheme of exemptions from charges was set up in 1968 and there had been many changes and advances to the way diseases were treated since then.

Mr Kennedy promised to end the "scandal" of hidden waiting lists.

Scrap targets

The Lib Dems also believe there are not enough isolation units to aid infection control and would give all staff hygiene training.

Health Secretary John Reid has blamed increased use of cleaning contracts under the last Tory government for increases in MRSA cases.

LIB DEM HEALTH PLANS Quicker diagnoses End "unfair" charges Free long-term personal care for the elderly Cleaner hospitals Tackle causes of ill health

As well as continuing their policy of offering free long term personal care to elderly, the Lib Dems are pledging to tackle the causes of ill health.

Measures include ensuring food is labelled more clearly through a traffic light warning system, introducing a mandatory alcohol unit level labelling system and developing a personal health MOT.

The Conservatives also want Whitehall targets to be scrapped, but shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley claimed the Lib Dem plans would lead to more bureaucracy.

He accused the party of wanting to break up the NHS and make it part of local government.

The Lib Dems denied this but said they were planning to increase local involvement by merging health and social care commissioning.

Health minister John Hutton said Labour's "tough targets" had brought down waits for hospital treatment.

He also accused the Lib Dems of making costly spending commitments without explaining how they would be met.

Health campaigners the King's Fund welcomed the Lib Dems' prescription charge pledge, saying the existing system was illogical and penalised poorer patients.