'It's Our NHS': thousands of protesters take to London's streets

Thousands of people are protesting

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of London protesting against cuts to NHS services.

Holding banners reading "save our NHS" and "our health before your wealth", the national demonstration, called by umbrella organisation Health Campaigns Together, is calling for a number of measures including:

  • No cuts and closures

  • An end to pay restraint for NHS staff

  • Kick out the "private interests"

  • A fully funded NHS

Crowds gathered in Tavistock Square at noon for a march to Parliament.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, speaking at the national demonstration, urged them to "defend the NHS with all of your might".

Organisers described the protest as a rallying call to save the health service at a time when "more austerity in the NHS represents a real risk to the safety of patients and the service".

They hope the march will put pressure on the Government ahead of next week's Budget.