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David Cameron yesterday celebrated the death of the NHS by banging the table in jubilation after his reforms cleared their final hurdle.

The shameful Cabinet scenes came as the hated Health Bill was approved, allowing private firms to cash in on care.

Nick Clegg and cronies joined in the rejoicing which came as the Queen paid tribute to public service workers such as NHS staff in her Diamond Jubilee speech

A last-ditch bid by Labour to delay the Health and Social Care Bill was defeated by 328 votes to 246 as Lib Dems joined Tories to push it through.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham vowed to repeal it at the first chance.

He said: “On this day, in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year, we should be celebrating what a much-valued social ­institution has done to bind our nation together throughout the 60 years of her reign.

"Instead, we gather to dismantle it.”

The British Medical Association, Royal College of GPs, Royal College of Nursing and dozens of other bodies had opposed the Bill which they warn will spell the end of the NHS and open the door to mass privatisation of services.

Shadow health minister Liz Kendall said there had been 1,000 Government amendments to the “disastrous” Bill and 374 in the Lords.

She told the Commons: “It is unacceptable that Members in this House have been given so little time to debate these amendments which will affect patients everywhere.”

The Bill needs to be given Royal Assent by the Queen, expected later this week.

Doctors will then get the green light to set up clinical ­commissioning groups.

This patchwork of GPs, which will eventually cover all areas of the country, will be in charge of what treatment patients in their area receive.

They should be set up by April 2013, taking over the job currently done by experts on Primary Care Trusts.

The groups will gradually be handed responsibility for £60billion of NHS funds.

(Image: PA)

Experts say clause 49 of the Bill gives GPs the go-ahead to start charging for some vital services which are now free.

Doctors fear wards – and even entire hospitals – could close if the practitioners send too few patients their way.

A group called Monitor will become the new regulator of health care in England.

It will oversee the process of turning all NHS hospitals into semi-independent trusts.

These hospitals will compete against each other as well private firms, charities and other “qualified providers” for contracts from the GP groups.