CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect NHS services in Oxfordshire joined others in London to ‘howl’ against proposed changes.

They travelled to Whitehall today for a national demonstration against so-called sustainability and transformation plans drawn up for the NHS.

In Oxfordshire, the plan will attempt to close a £200m budget deficit expected by 2020, through reductions in the number of qualified nurses, ‘new roles’ given to Oxfordshire’s community hospitals and cuts to the number of hospital beds across the county.

It was published officially this week after being leaked earlier by Reading Borough Council , which defied embargoes because of concerns about transparency.

The document’s development has been dogged by accusations officials have dreamt up its proposals before taking account of patient views.

Campaigner and nurse David Bailey said: “The plan is to plug the recruitment and retention problem by employing less qualified staff.

“Our profession is being diluted and will put patients at risk.”

Health bosses insist the changes are not because of ‘cuts’, as their budgets are still going up.

But campaigners argue it is a cut in real terms because the Government is not providing enough money to cover care costs the NHS has forecasted.

The national demonstration was in protest against the 44 STP plans put forward across the country.

Protestors ‘howled’ three times as part of the demonstration.