DARWEN MP Jake Berry has been called on by his opponent in next year's election to back a private members' bill in the House of Commons today.

According to Will Straw, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate next year, the bill, being put forward by MP Clive Efford, would rewrite the rules 'that force market tendering of NHS services and are seeing millions of pounds wasted on competition lawyers that should instead be spent on patients'.

MORE TOP STORIES:

In a letter to the Conservative MP, Mr Straw said: "Over the last few weeks, the Labour Party in Darwen has collected hundreds of signatures from your constituents calling on you to support this bill.

"I have talked to many health professionals who are concerned about the creeping privatisation in the NHS including, for example, the ultrasound department at Darwen Health Centre.

"Meanwhile, more and more local people tell me that they are waiting two to three weeks for a GP appointment and much longer than before for treatment.

"I recently shadowed the North West Ambulance Service on a 12-hour shift to see with my own eyes the pressures they are facing.

"It is deeply concerning to see how the NHS is deteriorating before our eyes.

"I would urge you to respect your constituents' views, support Clive Efford's bill on Friday and bring an end to the creeping privatisation of the NHS."