Union members protested outside NHS Kingston headquarters on Monday, to oppose the handing over of more than 500 nurses to a new social enterprise.
About 20 Unite members handed out leaflets opposing the creation of Your Healthcare as people entered a board meeting at Hollyfield House, Surbiton.
It claimed 1,500 members of staff had emailed Kingston NHS chief executive David Smith in protest at the plans, although the NHS said only 450 emails had been received.
A Unite spokesman said: “There’s always a chance that people will see sense. A not-for-profit organisation is set up now but in five years there’s nothing to stop an American multinational coming in and putting in a cheaper bid and you have got privatisation through the back door.”
An NHS Kingston spokesman said: “We have no intention of commissioning privately and we’re pleased we’ve been approved for the social enterprise route as this means we don’t need to tender via the open market.
“GPs and dentists are independent businesses that are still part of the NHS family.”
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