Protesters have taken to the streets to voice their concerns about the NHS and patient safety amid the ongoing health care crisis.

The group marched from the Royal Sussex County Hospital to The Level in Brighton in solidarity with NHS nurses and staff who have been striking and campaigning for better patient safety.

The march, organised by Sussex Defend the NHS, saw around 100 people chanting and waving banners to voice their frustration at the situation in public health care services.

Valerie Mainstone, who attended the march, said: “The NHS saved my life. I have had cancer three times and I would have died when I had a haemorrhage giving birth if it weren’t for their treatment.

“I was born before we had a proper NHS and my grandparents lost children before it was set up.”

The Argus: Pat Kehoe, left, and Valerie Mainstone, at the marchPat Kehoe, left, and Valerie Mainstone, at the march (Image: The Argus)

Pat Kehoe, 75, added: “I believe in a public funded and a publicly accountable health service.”

The march came as part of a National Day of Action in support of nurses and NHS staff.

Marchers were heard chanting “claps don’t pay the bills” and “no more corridors, we want beds” in response to the Clap for Carers campaign organised during the Covid-19 pandemic and recent reports about the crisis within NHS hospitals.

Earlier this month, The Argus reported that emergency doctors had revealed that patients had died whilst being treated in the corridor of the Royal Sussex A&E department.

John Donovan, who helped to organise the march as part of the GMB Union, said: “I worked in the NHS for about 28 years and recently retired. This is to remind people that enough is enough.”

Once at The Level, protesters heard from nurses as well as politicians who had attended the march.

Kemptown MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who joined the march and walked with protesters, said: “It is an absolute crisis, we really have a two-tier health service.

The Argus: Protesters at The Level in BrightonProtesters at The Level in Brighton (Image: The Argus)

“It’s always great to see people out and supporting the NHS. We have had great responses on the picket lines for the nurses here in Brighton.”

More strikes for nurses and ambulance staff are planned for the beginning of February, including protests in Brighton and Falmer.