CAMPAIGNING pensioners slammed the privatisation and dismantling of the NHS at their annual conference yesterday.

The National Pensioners Convention (NPC) in Blackpool vowed to continue campaigning at local level to defend NHS services such as accident and emergency units and GP practices.

Many contributors spoke of their own experiences of the effect of Tory privatisation and cuts in the NHS.

Among the speakers was GMB national health officer Rehana Azam, who last year was one of the organisers and participants of the People’s March for the NHS from Jarrow in north-east England to London.

Ms Azam, who spoke in support of the NHS at the NPC conference, said she was inspired by the pensioners’ determination to fight back.

She said many pensioners had joined the People’s March for the NHS and many will be going to the march against austerity in London on Saturday.

“Hundreds of people were there to discuss the next steps in our campaign and what effect government policies are having on the NHS,” she told the Star.

“What struck me more than anything was how much people still value the NHS. They are still up for the fight and still ready to campaign.

“People talked about the effect of what the government is doing to the NHS in their own communities right across the country.

“They are still fighting back, which is inspiring.

“They talked about government attacks on front-line NHS staff, and how if we support our NHS staff we have a chance of having the bare bones of an NHS left by the next general election.”

The annual conference ends today.