Tens of thousands of people are travelling to London on Saturday to take part in mass demonstrations against the “deliberate” underfunding of the NHS,

Nurses, doctors, actors and musicians will be among the masses marching on Whitehall on the week the health service turns 70.

NHS staff have travelled from as far afield as Lancaster to take part in the demand to end the cuts and the “ruinous” privatisation of NHS services.

They hope to ensure that the founding principles of the NHS, that it is free at the point of use and available to all, are not undermined by budget pressures which have meant long waits for treatment and rationing of services in parts of the country.

NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Show all 18 1 /18 NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary People holding placards attend a demonstration and celebration march to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), in central London on June 30, 2018. Organised by the Peoples Assembly, Health Campaigns Together, The TUC and 11 other health trade unions, tens of thousands are expected to attend the only national public event organised to mark the anniversary of the British Health Service. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, addresses demonstrators following the march AFP/Getty NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary A man stands with a coffin, used as a prop at a demonstration and celebration march to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), in central London on June 30, 2018. Organised by the Peoples Assembly, Health Campaigns Together, The TUC and 11 other health trade unions, tens of thousands are expected to attend the only national public event organised to mark the anniversary of the British Health Service. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary epa06851663 Thousands of people march, to mark 70 years of the British National Health Service (NHS), in central London, Britain, 30 June 2018. Reports state that the gathering is calling on the government for increased funding and staffing for the NHS, as well as a protest against privatisation of an organisation which turns 70 years old on 05 July 2018. EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary People holding placards attend a demonstration and celebration march to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), in central London on June 30, 2018. Organised by the Peoples Assembly, Health Campaigns Together, The TUC and 11 other health trade unions, tens of thousands are expected to attend the only national public event organised to mark the anniversary of the British Health Service. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary A man wears an NHS themed hat during a march in support of the National Health Service, in central London, Britain, June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON Reuters NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Demonstrators hold placards during a march in support of the National Health Service, in central London, Britain, June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary epa06851662 A man with a birthday placard as thousands of people march, to mark 70 years of the British National Health Service (NHS), in central London, Britain, 30 June 2018. Reports state that the gathering is calling on the government for increased funding and staffing for the NHS, as well as a protest against privatisation of an organisation which turns 70 years old on 05 July 2018. EPA/ANDY RAIN ANDY RAIN EPA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Demonstrators stand in Whitehall during a march in support of the National Health Service, in central London, Britain, June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary People march in central London to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday June 30, 2018. See PA story INDUSTRY Demonstration. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Demonstrators hold placards during of a march in support of the National Health Service, in central London, Britain, June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary People holding placards attend a demonstration and celebration march to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), in central London on June 30, 2018. Organised by the Peoples Assembly, Health Campaigns Together, The TUC and 11 other health trade unions, tens of thousands are expected to attend the only national public event organised to mark the anniversary of the British Health Service. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Demonstrators hold placards during a march in support of the National Health Service, in central London, Britain, June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson SIMON DAWSON REUTERS NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary Jeremy Corbyn and Jon Ashworth speak during a march in central London, marking the 70th anniversary of the NHS. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday June 30, 2018. See PA story INDUSTRY Demonstration. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire John Stillwell PA NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary People holding placards attend a demonstration and celebration march to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), in central London on June 30, 2018. Organised by the Peoples Assembly, Health Campaigns Together, The TUC and 11 other health trade unions, tens of thousands are expected to attend the only national public event organised to mark the anniversary of the British Health Service. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary People holding placards attend a demonstration and celebration march to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), in central London on June 30, 2018. Organised by the Peoples Assembly, Health Campaigns Together, The TUC and 11 other health trade unions, tens of thousands are expected to attend the only national public event organised to mark the anniversary of the British Health Service. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary People gather with placards to attend a demonstration and celebration march to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), in central London on June 30, 2018. Organised by the Peoples Assembly, Health Campaigns Together, The TUC and 11 other health trade unions, tens of thousands are expected to attend the only national public event organised to mark the anniversary of the British Health Service. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images NHS at 70: demonstration and celebration march to mark anniversary People gather with placards to attend a demonstration and celebration march to mark the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service (NHS), in central London on June 30, 2018. Organised by the Peoples Assembly, Health Campaigns Together, The TUC and 11 other health trade unions, tens of thousands are expected to attend the only national public event organised to mark the anniversary of the British Health Service. / AFP PHOTO / Tolga AKMENTOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images TOLGA AKMEN AFP/Getty Images

The march falls on the same morning that NHS officials said they were considering axing 17 routine but unnecessary procedures, such as back pain injections and varicose vein treatment in a bid to save £200m.

Others who couldn’t attend the event in person have taken to social media to show their support.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who will address the demonstration, said: “It is almost 70 years since the NHS was founded by a Labour government and it’s still our proudest achievement.

“What the Conservatives have done to our NHS, first under David Cameron, and then Theresa May, is appalling.

“Deliberate underfunding of services, and squeezing the pay of our brilliant doctors, nurses and health staff, has pushed our NHS to the brink.

“Every day there are shocking stories of unacceptable waiting times, ambulance delays and patients left on trolleys in corridors, and they’ve spent years selling off and contracting out our NHS bit by bit, leaving the NHS to be sued by private companies, like Virgin.

“Labour will end privatisation because our NHS should be about healthcare for all, not profits for a few.

“Last week, the government finally announced some more money for our health service, but it’s simply not enough to make up for the last eight years of slashed budgets and worsening standards, falling morale and loss of staff.

“In fact, it would barely keep the NHS at a standstill.”

Research by the TUC showed “widespread” shortages of GPs in England, with 43 per cent fewer doctors than needed in Milton Keynes and Luton.

No area of the country has enough GPs to meet demand, with even the best-provided area of Dorset having a 4 per cent shortfall, said the TUC.

NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday Show all 18 1 /18 NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday Nurses test the hearing of a newborn child Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday The waiting room is busy in Milton Keynes University Hospital Reuters NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 24, two nurses work at the nurses station Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday In A&E, a porter rushes a patient through the corridor Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday A surgical team prepares a patient for their operation Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday In the physiotherapy department, patients are treated in the hydrotherapy pool Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 8, an inpatient awaits visitors Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday In the physiotherapy department, amputees take a class Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday A junior doctor is at work in the staff room Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday A surgical team prepares a patient for their operation Reuters NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday An inpatient has her hair washed by the staff hairdressers Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday In the audiology department, a mother watches on as her son is given a hearing test Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 8, staff serve lunch to the patients Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 24, a patient waits on their bed Reuters NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 8, a cleaner is at work Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday A nurse takes blood from a patient Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 8, an inpatient receives a visitor Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday Inpatient Donald Ritson lies in bed in Ward 24 in Milton Keynes University Hospital Reuters

General secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Underfunding has left the NHS on the critical list. There are too few doctors, too few beds and too few healthcare staff.

“The best medicine for the NHS is the extra funding it needs, but the government is giving it too small a dose to bring it up to full health.

“We’re sending a message to the government today that our NHS needs a better deal and it must be publicly owned and provided so that every penny goes to patient care and not to private profits.”

The GMB union said the three year pay deal for NHS workers would lead to a real terms pay cut of up to £2,500 for some staff.

The GMB is the only health union to have rejected the deal.

National officer Rachel Harrison said: “Jeremy Hunt has some cheek imposing a real terms pay cut of thousands of pounds on hard-working NHS staff.

“On the NHS’s 70th birthday, the Health Secretary has soured the mood with his party pooper of a pay offer.”

Saturday’s protest is being organised by groups including the People’s Assembly and unions.