Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham set out targets for the future of the NHS at an event in Whitechapel last week.

Mr Burnham appeared at the Microbusiness Park in Greatorex Street alongside Labour councillors from Tower Hamlets, pledging to defend the Health Service from the coalition government’s reforms.

Councillors urged local residents to come forward with any concerns they have over the impact of the changes on the care they receive through the NHS at local level. Labour’s spokesperson for adult health and wellbeing cllr Rachel Saunders said: “I am working with Andy Burnham and local government colleagues to develop ideas on how the people of Tower Hamlets, the NHS, local organisations and the council can collaborate to tackle health inequalities and improve our physical, mental and social wellbeing.”

However, GP Jackie Applebee who is chair of the Tower Hamlets British Medical Association warned that any influence over how the reforms impact on the borough would require “mass public opposition”.

She also called on the Tower Hamlets Labour group to exert pressure on the Parliamentary Labour Party to pledge to reverse the coalition’s reforms.

“My own view is that the Health and Social Care Act is a disaster for the NHS”, she added. “Private companies will play a far greater role now and will want to make a profit, this can only damage patient care.”