A MARCH organised by York doctors concerned about NHS reforms took place in the city centre at the weekend.

About 150 people worried about the scale of the Government’s NHS changes attended the protests, organised by Defend Our NHS York.

The march made its way to Parliament Street where the speakers included Baroness Haleh Ashar, a member of the House of Lords and professor of politics and women’s studies.

Protesters were joined by shoppers and tourists when speeches were made by the fountain in Parliament Street followed a chorus of “three cheers for the NHS” led by Dr James Chan.

Speaking to the crowd, Dr Chan, who is based at York Hospital, said: “We are here to stop these cuts because they are going to destroy the NHS.

“This is York’s voice against these reforms, which are the wrong plan at the wrong time, and you are all NHS heroes.”

Baroness Afshar said “There are times when the public knows best, and this is one of those times.

“These reforms make no sense and what we want is more transparency.

“I don’t know any GP who supports these reforms because they do not have the expertise and they do not have the information.

“It is nonsense from beginning to end, so I urge you to please, please protect our NHS.”

Protesters waved banners reading Public Health Not Private Wealth and placards bearing Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s face and reading Stuff Your NHS Reforms.

Dr Simon Smale, speaking to the crowd, said: “What we are saying to the Government is: have the discussion with us about how much we want to spend.

“Have the discussion with users and the community about how they want things to be.

“Don’t reorganise just because you want to put a shiny new badge on something. Be honest, be open and have the difficult discussions on our behalf, and don’t change just because you have to be seen to be changing.”