Campaigners are urging local authorities to oppose cuts to NHS services brought in to “bail out” private finance debts which they claim has led to hospital admissions being reduced.

They have called on Tower Hamlets Council to support the campaign to defend the NHS in its 65th birthday year.

The Royal London Hospital carries the largest private finance debt in Britain, a packed public meeting at Whitechapel’s Jagonari centre was told.

There were serious threats to admissions caused by financial debts, Tower Hamlets GP Forum chair Dr Jackie Applebee told the meeting. It had led to the new Royal London having to stop admissions in September because it was full, she claimed.

A collection at last Wednesday’s meeting raised £175 for NHS secretaries and admin staff on strike in Wakefield, Yorkshire, over cuts and downgrading of jobs.