Patients storm PCT board meeting to stop polyclinic

A group of 50 patients stormed a PCT board meeting to protest at plans to convert a practice in Haringey, north London, into a GP-led health centre.

The board meeting was scrapped and moved to a different venue when protesters carrying placards (see picture), tried to deliver a presentation setting out their concerns.

They handed out written lists of concerns to board members before the meeting was abandoned, and followed them to a second location to continue the protests.

The protesters fear GP-led health centres could end up being run by private firms. They are also worried that healthy-living projects that are run from the existing practice and which benefit the community could be lost.

They demanded more information about the plans, and said that NHS services should not be run by private firms to generate profits for shareholders.

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