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Theresa May’s “disastrous” handling of Brexit poses a deadly threat to the NHS, a senior MP has warned.

Dr Philippa Whitford said the growing likelihood of no deal left the Tories desperate for a trade pact with Donald Trump – at any cost.

And the result could be a power grab by Westminster which would then offer sections of the NHS to profiteering American firms.

The Mirror told in May how NHS spending on private healthcare pro­­viders has doubled under the Tories.

(Image: PA)

Dr Whitford, the SNP’s Westminster health spokeswoman, said local bodies could lose control over how services are delivered post Brexit.

She added: “The news we’ve seen of £2billion worth of NHS England contracts being handed to a private firm sets a dangerous precedent.

"And last month’s report by MPs – which described the out­­sourcing of primary care services to Capita as a ‘complete mess’ – shows exactly what the Tories would do given half a chance.”

Dr Whitford said this was why a post-Brexit Westminster power grab over procurement was so worrying.

It brought a real threat of the NHS being opened up to profiteering firms from across the Atlantic.

She went on: “Theresa May has failed to rule this out on multiple occasions and as the Tories get ever more desperate to secure a trade deal with Donald Trump we can be sure our NHS will be in their sights.

“They are making a mess of the health service – opening it up to private companies in a shambolic fashion. With the Tories intent on their power grab and a disastrous Brexit, the threat is major and real.”

The Department of Health said NHS spending had gone up and the amount going to private providers was proportionally low.