MORE than ever before, it is now all about delivery for the Government. And no one knows that better than Alan Milburn, the man with the responsibility of making the newly-announced momentous investment in the National Health Service work for the good of patients.

If the MP for Darlington succeeds, the sky is the limit for him as a politician. If he fails, with unprecedented funds at his disposal, he will deservedly be sacked. It is as black and white as that.

"By the time of the next election, there will be real and significant improvements," he promised in the Commons yesterday. There had better be.

And it is not just about cutting waiting lists. Financial incentives to reward hospitals who treat patients quickly should come with their own health warning. Shorter waiting lists may be a politically powerful measure, but we have had our fill of medical negligence scandals - speedy treatment must be combined with a higher quality of care.

It is telling that there has not been a ringing endorsement from within the NHS itself about this week's Budget headline announcement.

It is not that doctors and nurses do not welcome news of the extra investment - it is that they are sceptical about how effectively it will be spent.

That is one of the legacies of the first five years of this Government. Too much emphasis on spin, manipulation of information, and regurgitation of old money has left people in doubt.

Now that we have - at long last - health investment of historic proportions, the Government has left itself with the task of convincing the British people that it is the real deal.

Will Tony Blair's Government be best remembered for rebuilding pride in the National Health Service - or for its spin doctors? For all our sakes, we must hope it is the former.

For Alan Milburn, the challenge could not be greater. When he was first appointed Health Secretary, a smiling Cabinet colleague congratulated him on accepting "the poisoned chalice".

He has survived this far, but the poison has just become a lot more deadly.