Protests held to urge more funding for health service

Activists gathered outside Leeds General Infirmary on Saturday during a national day of action organised by NHS protesters.

They called on the Government to provide more beds, staff and funding to ease overcrowding in hospitals and delays in A&E departments around the country.

Gilda Peterson, of Leeds Keep our NHS Public, said: “We got a lot of public attention. I think people are fed up of what’s happening to the NHS.

“The support of NHS staff is great. They are doing a great job but they shouldn’t have to work under the circumstances they are working in.”

In London, thousands of people braved the rain and marched to Downing Street during the “NHS in crisis: Fix it now”, protest.

The Department of Health and Social Care said extra funds had been provided to support the health service this winter.

A spokesperson added: “Despite the extra pressure that comes with winter, the most recently published monthly figures shows hardworking staff treated 55,328 people within four hours every single day, 1,272 more each day than in the same month the previous year.”