HUNDREDS of vocal protesters joined the Sussex Defend the NHS demonstration demanding the Government stops making further cuts to vital health services.

NHS workers, patients, carers, health workers and representatives from other social services came together to voice their anger and frustration over cuts.

The Government is set to cut £50 million this year from NHS services in Sussex. Health services in Brighton and Hove were told to cut £14 million from their £425 million budget.

Protesters said the cuts have led to NHS staff being overworked, stressed and feeling demoralised. 

Renato Marques, an NHS worker at a children's centre in Brighton, said: "The NHS has been a wonderful achievement since it started in 1948. It provides a cradle-to-grave health care.

"But now we are in a crisis. Ten GP surgeries in Brighton and Hove have closed and NHS staff have not had a pay rise in seven years.

"Nurses are overworked and underpaid. They rely on foodbanks to get by.

"Staff members who are providing vital health care are feeling demotivated. We often need to work over our hours and some have quit for jobs that pay more.

"If we work over our time, we don't want to ask for more pay because of the cuts. The Government also wants to privatise health services.

"The rich are getting richer while the poor are left to their own devices. We had an amazing health care system so we need to fight for it."

Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "If we stand together, we can make our health service better. 

"We are the sixth richest country in the world and it's appalling that patients are still having to wait hours for emergency care.

"There was a woman in my constituency who had to wait four hours in her home for an ambulance.

"I am proud to be standing in Parliament to fight for our services."

Lorna De Smidt, 75, of Brighton, said: "I have been an activist for social care my whole life.

"I worked as a teacher and a university lecturer. Austerity is impacting on our essential services.

"People need to wake up to the reality of the situation. I have been using the NHS for five years. While the cuts have not affected me directly, but if there are more cuts it will have a knock-on effect.

"At some stage in your life you will need medical treatment. My GP can sees patients for about ten minutes because there isn't enough staff."