CAMPAIGNERS who organised a 1,100-signature petition against a government shake-up of NHS funding attempted to hand it in last week.

The document, jointly organised by groups Keep the NHS Public and 38 Degrees NHS Greenwich, was presented at Woolwich’s Ferryview Health Centre.

But campaigners say Dr Rob Hughes, part of a shadow consortium poised to control NHS budgets instead of the PCT, refused to take the document, which calls for a meeting with Greenwich GPs and a rethink of the plans.

Organiser Edward Hill said: “The petition is significant because of the wide range of ages and occupations among those who signed it and the ease and speed with which the petition was collected, by a few volunteers over two weeks in the shopping centres of Greenwich.

“The public is saying that we must not let the NHS be dismantled, and there is a strong wish for roundtable discussions between the community and the real health professionals in Greenwich to make sure this can never happen.”

Campaigners argue that the changes, which would not take effect for two years, amount to privatisation through the backdoor.

A spokeswoman for NHS Greenwich said the petition should be presented to them.

She said: “The GP consortium in Greenwich is still in the very early stages of its development, and as it progresses, there will be opportunities for members of the public to continue to have their say and to get directly involved in shaping health care services for people in Greenwich.”

"There is a very active public engagement programme in place which helps to create successful health initiatives for the people of Greenwich.

“For example, the GP led mobile health unit came about as a result of the power of public voice in Greenwich, and it provides a much valued service."