THE privatisation row erupted following claims that NHS staff and buildings would be handed over to the private sector as part of new contracts.
Documents obtained by Hospital Doctor magazine suggested that companies bidding for contracts to treat NHS patients would be allowed to take over NHS premises, doctors and nurses.
But on Saturday, the Government said there was no question of the NHS being privatised.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, below, said: "We are not turning the debate into a private service and we will never abandon the principle that healthcare should be free at the point of need, not based on the ability to pay."
Hospital Doctor said that the confidential documents showed contracts would move a wide range of services into the private sector.
Hospital Doctor said that the documents showed all surgical facilities in Birmingham City Hospital's new NHS treatment centre would be run by the private sector.
The magazine also said that renal dialysis services covering Cheshire and Merseyside, north, east and south Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire would be taken over by a private company.
They said that all existing NHS facilities providing these services in these areas would be transferred and NHS staff would be seconded.
Dr Paul Miller, chairman of the British Medical Association's consultants committee, said: "It is almost like they are giving up on the NHS provision and opening it up to private provision."
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