WATCH: Sheffield health workers join 250,000 marchers for #OurNHS demonstration

Sheffield NHS staff and supporters were among the hundreds of thousands of people who marched against Government cuts in London yesterday.
Sheffield speech and language therapists on the #OurNHS march in London.Sheffield speech and language therapists on the #OurNHS march in London.
Sheffield speech and language therapists on the #OurNHS march in London.

A group of about 150 people travelled from Sheffield to take part in the #OurNHS demonstration, which attracted about 250,000 people.

It is thought the demonstration was the largest in support of the NHS in British history.

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The Sheffield group was made up of NHS workers, students, teachers and supporters, with coach and train transport organised by the city group of the national anti-austerity campaign The People's Assembly Against Austerity and Sheffield Save Our NHS.

Jessica Mardell, a speech and language therapist from Heeley, said: "We work as speech and language therapists for the NHS with children across Sheffield.

"For some of us it's our first demonstration. We travelled to London because, like all other NHS services, our service is increasingly stretched and we struggle to meet patients' needs.

"We are so lucky to have the amazing NHS in this country and it is being systematically underfunded and undermined by this Tory government.

It is thought about 250,000 people took part. Photo: Victoria Jones/PA WireIt is thought about 250,000 people took part. Photo: Victoria Jones/PA Wire
It is thought about 250,000 people took part. Photo: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

"We all need to speak out to save our NHS."

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Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged the demonstrators to "defend the NHS with all of your might".

He told them in a speech in Parliament Square: "Defending the NHS is defending a basic human value and a basic human right.

"You don't walk by on the other side when somebody is in difficulties or needing help."

NHS supporters from Sheffield.NHS supporters from Sheffield.
NHS supporters from Sheffield.

He called for next week's Budget to properly fund the health service, social care and crucial mental health services.

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Government officials sought to assure the public that the NHS will remain free at the point of use.

A Health Department spokesman said: "We are committed to the NHS which is why we're investing £10 billion in its own plan for the future, including £4 billion extra this year to transform services and improve standards of care."

Sheffield Save Our NHS will hold an open organising meeting at the United Reform Church on the corner of Chapel Walk and Norfolk Street in the city centre tomorrow (Monday) at 6pm for people who want to continue with the campaign to defend the NHS.

Campaigners travel to London from Sheffield.Campaigners travel to London from Sheffield.
Campaigners travel to London from Sheffield.

There will be a regional demonstration in support of the NHS in Leeds on April 1 at 11.30am, assembling outside the Art Gallery.

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Sheffield people on the march.Sheffield people on the march.
Sheffield people on the march.
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