CAMPAIGNERS have issued a rallying call to residents to join the fight against controversial Government proposals to reform the NHS.
Protesters fighting the plans, which would see primary care trusts abolished by 2013, have launched a petition in Congleton in a bid to help save the current health service structure.
And last night members of the public were able to put questions to a panel of officials made up of representatives from Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT along with members of pressure group Keep Our NHS Public.
Now campaigners have vowed to lobby for more question-and-answer sessions after it was revealed 22 practices in the PCT's Cheshire East region, which overseas Congleton, will form a consortium after the area was put forward as a 'pathfinder' for the controversial project.
Under Government plans, all 151 of England's PCTs will be abolished, along with 10 strategic health authorities (SHAs).
GPs will be given around 80 per cent of the NHS budget, currently topping �100 billion a year nationally, to commission services for patients.
The meeting at Congleton Library was called by a group of five campaigners who hope to raise awareness of the reforms.
Member Jane Knowles, aged 67, from Congleton, said: "We want to get more information on this, as we don't feel it's been made widely available.
"We have been given no warning about this whatsoever."
Rae Greenwood, aged 67, also from Congleton, added: "GPs will be commissioning services and that will surely mean contracts with some private companies.
"I think this will ruin the relationship between GPs and patients as we will come to think of them as running a business."
Protesters say the plans, which have been dubbed the most radical overhaul of the NHS, will result in thousands of jobs being lost across the country.
It is estimated the redundancy process will cost the NHS around �1 billion.
Hugh Caffrery, a national co-ordinator for Keep Our NHS Public, urged last night's audience of about 30 residents to keep fighting the plans.
Hugh, from Manchester, said: "This is not a done deal despite what the Government would like people to think.
"If this legislation is approved it will be a disaster for patients, health workers, and future generations.
"What the government wants to do to the NHS is ludicrous and meetings like this are vital to highlight what they are doing and keeping people informed."
Hilda Yarker, from the Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT said the body would be happy to hold further discussions with patients.
She added: "I know GPs are very keen to start engaging with the public over the changes."
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