THE NHS should be funded through a “care contribution” separate from general taxation, Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb said yesterday.

Mr Lamb warned on Sunday that the NHS will “crash” within two years without immediate multi-billion pound investment.

Despite serving as a health minister in the Con-Dem coalition, he blamed the Tories yesterday for the “massive threat” facing the NHS.

“The Tories have promised £10 billion, leaving £20bn to be found through efficiency savings. I know, from my time in government, that this is not enough,” he told Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth.

Setting out his alternative, Mr Lamb added: “I am very interested in the idea of a dedicated NHS and care contribution — separating it out from the rest of taxation, clearly identified on your pay slip.”

He also suggested that local authorities should be given power to raise additional money for local NHS services.

“Why can’t my county of Norfolk decide to spend more on vital services for older people, to improve cancer services or for mental health if it chooses?” he asked.

The proposals were branded “just madness” by health expert Dr John Lister.

He told the Star: “Where does he imagine local authorities are going to get the money from for this extra spending?

“They’re already struggling to fund social care and now their funding is going to be cut by another 40 per cent.

“And breaking NHS funding down to individual contributions will lead us towards an American-style insurance system rather than a collective one.

“You’ll get some people asking for a tax discount if they get private healthcare treatment.”