Unions join to fight NHS reforms

Each year 9.4m referrals for non-emergency treatment are made

Twelve unions whose members include doctors, nurses and midwives have joined together to campaign against further reforms to the NHS.

Union officials fear that the health service is facing privatisation.

The unions include Britain's four largest - Amicus, the GMB, Unison and the Transport and General Workers.

With the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing, they are calling for an urgent meeting with Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt.