MP Eleanor Smith launches bill to 'save' the NHS

Eleanor Smith tabled a 10-minute rule bill in the House of Commons which she says 'intends to honour the founding vision' of Britain's health service.

The Wolverhampton South West Labour MP said she wants to see the NHS 'properly funded', with profit making companies kept out of service provision and the creation of 'truly accountable' local NHS planning.

Announcing the bill, she told MPs it was 'intended to make sure no part of our NHS is for sale'.

“Opportunists see the NHS badge as just another brand name to be sold off," she added.

"Of course they do, there's none better: generations of dedicated health professionals have made the NHS a symbol of compassion, generosity, kindness, caring. They did it for the sake of the patients, not a get-rich scheme.”

“You might hear that there is no privatisation as the NHS remains free, but the patients are no longer getting the full benefit of the tax payers money.

"Private companies are taking their slice, as profit. The money we pay through our taxes should be spent on patient care and not go to shareholders.”

The bill passed its first reading and will return to the Commons on October 26.