MORE than 1,000 people rallied in Newcastle on Saturday in opposition to the dismantling and privatisation of the NHS.

Campaigners loudly stated their opposition to the government’s imposition of STPs (sustainability and transformation plans) on health trusts, which NHS supporters have dubbed “slash, trash and privatise.”

The demonstration, organised by Keep Our NHS Public North East and North East People’s Assembly Against Austerity, was part of a build-up to a national protest in support of the NHS in London on March 4.

Speakers included Emma Lewell-Buck, MP for South Shields, and Blaydon MP Dave Anderson.

North East People’s Assembly chairman Tony Dowling said: “Tory austerity is stealing money from the 99 per cent and handing it to the 1 per cent while slashing our public services.

“Our NHS is not overspent, it is underfunded. The solution is simple: stop giving massive tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations.”