Derbyshire campaigners fight to save the NHS

Scores of activists descended on Wirksworth Market Place on Saturday as part of the UK-wide protest coordinated by campaign group 38 Degrees.

The campaigners fear the NHS is in grave danger because of years of squeezed funding and privatisation.

They are among 60,000 people who have signed a petition urging all candidates standing to be an MP in May’s General Election to commit to protect the NHS from privatisation and make sure it has appropriate funding.

Campaigner Geraldine Rose said: “I started my career in Chesterfield Royal Hospital as a student nurse many years ago and I was proud to work alongside other nurses and doctors from all over the world.

“They had come to the UK to do their training because the UK had the reputation of having the best health service in the world.

“Things have deteriorated since then and many parts of the service have been sold off.

“This protest showed our MP candidates that if they want to sell off or run down our NHS, they’ll have a fight on their hands.”

David Babbs, executive director of 38 Degrees, added: “The NHS is the best healthcare system in the world –and it belongs to all of us.

“But too many politicians have ignored the doctors and nurses on the frontline.

“They’ve turned their back on the principle of an NHS owned by all of us and working to save lives, rather than to make money.

“This day of action should send a clear message to politicians: you’re being watched by millions of us fighting to protect our NHS.”

For more information about 38 Degrees and to add your name to the online petition, visit www.38degrees.org.uk/nhs