THE “fight for the NHS” was the shadow health secretary’s rallying call to Labour councillors in Bolton ahead of next year’s election.

Andy Burnham slammed the “sell-off” of NHS services, arguing a vote for the Tories would result in a “toxic mix of cuts and privatisation.”

The Leigh MP used the NHS’ contract with Arriva Patient Transport — which has been criticised by users — as an example of a failing service.

Mr Burnham was at at a Labour fundraiser at Hart Common Golf Club, in Westhoughton. He said: “Who gave them permission to give our services to a bus company?

“The NHS is being broken up and sold off under our noses and I don’t think people are going to have it.”

A united single health and social care service was the key to rescuing the NHS, according to Mr Burnham.

When asked about the transition of hospital care to home-based and community care, he said: “There’s still going to be a need for intermediate and respite care.

"It’s not an either-or. We do want to support older people in their own home, if we can.It doesn’t mean we can just close hospital beds immediately. You have to do it very carefully.”

Mr Burnham was keen to respond to health secretary Jeremy Hunt’s defence of the Better Care Fund, a pooled budget arrangement between hospitals, commissioners and councils.

He added: “Part of my criticism of the government is that they are chopping and changing, taking money out of the NHS and putting it into councils. I’m not sure they are doing it in the right way.

“I have big worries about the Better Care Fund. I don’t think I am alone because I think those worries are shared by senior people in the NHS. This won’t lead to integration in my view.”

Hospital staff are due to go on strike on Monday in a row with the government over pay.

Yet Mr Burnham would not be drawn on whether he thought it was right for them to walk out.

He said: “It’s their prerogative to do what they do. I can understand how they feel.

“The government promised them one per cent, the pay review body backed it up and said it was affordable and they reneged on it.

“I couldn’t support anything that would damage patient care or services. I think unions are working to cover for each other.”