Thousands take to the streets of London to mark 70 years of the NHS and demand more funding

Thousands of people took to the streets of London to mark 70 years of the NHS in the wake of an announcement that 17 routine procedures face the axe, to save £200million.

Among those protesting were doctors, nurses, supporters of the NHS and others who wanted to take part to fight against ‘deliberate’ underfunding of health services.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and MP Jon Ashworth spoke during the march in central London where crowds gathered to call on the government for increased funding and staffing for the NHS.  

Doctors, nurses, health campaigners, unions, other NHS staff and their supporters gathered in Portland Place, London, to vent their opinions

A large crowd at the capital's national celebration and demonstration supporting the NHS ahead of its 70th anniversary

A large crowd at the capital’s national celebration and demonstration supporting the NHS ahead of its 70th anniversary

Protesters took to the streets of London today as they marked the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service by marching to Downing Street

Protesters took to the streets of London today as they marked the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service by marching to Downing Street

The People's Assembly, one of the day's organisers, said: 'Our post-war generation created a National Health Service that delivered world class care to all on the basis of need'

The People’s Assembly, one of the day’s organisers, said: ‘Our post-war generation created a National Health Service that delivered world class care to all on the basis of need’

Today's demonstration comes as NHS bosses announce plans to cut back on 17 'unnecessary or risky' procedures

Today’s demonstration comes as NHS bosses announce plans to cut back on 17 ‘unnecessary or risky’ procedures

It comes as health bosses have announced a raft of minor operations, including tonsillectomy for sore throats and varicose vein surgery, to be axed to prevent more than 100,000 ‘unnecessary procedures’ taking place annually.

Such treatments have been highlighted as ‘ineffective or risky’ and should be offered only if they are judged to be of ‘compelling’ benefit and there are no alternatives, reports the BBC.

A provisional list of 17 procedures deemed ‘useless’ has been drawn up by NHS England in a step to banish ineffective and outdated treatments. And patients will be told they have an obligation not to demand unnecessary surgery.

NHS England medical director Stephen Powis, who took up his post earlier this year, said he was eradicating or cutting back on ‘unnecessary or risky procedures’. 

Snoring surgery, back pain injections and keyhole surgery for arthritis are included in the procedures earmarked to be banished under the plans. 

And other treatments such as haemorrhoid surgery, the removal of skin lesions and grommets for glue ear will be performed on a case-by-case basis only, as they are seen as problems that get better by themselves.

Professor Powis said that by stopping at least 100,000 of the 350,000 of these procedures carried out annually at a cost of £400million it was realistic that half this sum could be saved. 

Pointless treatments cost the NHS around £2billion a year, according to estimates from senior doctors.

Jeremy Corbyn (pictured right) and Jon Ashworth spoke during the march in central London, marking the 70th anniversary of the NHS

Signs are held up as tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets of London

Signs are held up as tens of thousands of protesters take to the streets of London

Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) delivers a speech during a rally to mark 70 years of the NHS in London while protesters line the streets (right)

Doctors, nurses, health campaigners, unions, other NHS staff and their supporters gather in Portland Place for the national celebration

Doctors, nurses, health campaigners, unions, other NHS staff and their supporters gather in Portland Place for the national celebration

Professor Powis said the initial plans could be just the first stage of weeding out unnecessary treatments, and more could be added to the list. 

Other procedures that could be cut in the future include brain scans for patients with migraines and general anaesthetics for patients who have shoulder and hip dislocations.

The NHS has been under pressure to become more efficient following the promise of a cash injection from Theresa May which was announced earlier this month. 



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