CAMPAIGNERS staged a mock life-saving operation in Oxford city centre to protest against the Government’s proposals to reform the NHS.

Anti-cuts pressure groups claim the coalition’s Health and Social Care Bill, now going through Parliament, will lead to the privatisation of the health service.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has faced increasing opposition to his proposals, which would abolish strategic health authorities and primary care trusts, and hand the power to commission treatment to GPs.

Liberal Democrat MPs have spoken out against the Coalition’s plans, while doctors and nurses groups have signalled their opposition.

In April, the Government announced a “pause” in the passage of the legislation through Parliament, with Prime Minister David Cameron admitting there were “big questions” over the proposals.

Demonstrators staged the protest in Cornmarket Street on Saturday to try to persuade people to sign a petition against the Bill.

Campaigner Penelope Newsome, 67, said she feared the NHS would become a “two-tier” health service, offering a better service to those who could pay more.

She said: “The Government has said there is a listening exercise over this Bill, but we don’t think anybody is listening to us.

“All they are listening to is private companies and their lobbyists in London trying to get it through.

“We have to stop it from becoming law.”

Ms Newsome, who has received treatment for a neck complaint at John Radcliffe Hospital this year, said the NHS did not need the reforms or private sector involvement.

She said: “Once you get private companies coming in, it is the thin end of the wedge.

“I think the NHS is working reasonably well at the moment.

“People are getting their operations quite quickly, and I have had very good care at the John Radcliffe.

“Hospitals look cleaner than they were, and the doctors and nurses are working very hard.”

Green Party county councillor Larry Sanders said: “The most worrying thing is that any company that wants to bid for the NHS services is able to.

“They will win a lot of bids, and once they are there, the NHS will be part of the whole international financial system.

“Once these companies are in, they will do what they can to make profit.”

He added: “The doctors and nurses are against it, and there is huge public feeling against it.”

Department of Health spokesman Joanna Humphrey said the Government was investing an extra £11.5bn in the NHS over the next four years.

She said: “The plans to modernise the NHS will help to ensure that bureaucracy is cut and resources are reinvested into improving the quality of care for patients.”