THE Government has reignited the row over "creeping privatisation" of public services after revealing controversial plans to treat NHS patients in a private hospital.

The move was strongly criticised at rallies and lobbies across the country during a day of action organised by the TUC in support of public services.

Union leaders knew nothing about the plan to cut NHS waiting lists by treating patients at a Bupa hospital in Surrey, until they were contacted by the media for a reaction.

Negotiations with staff representatives had been "non existent", according to Unison general secretary Dave Prentis.

Mike Stone, chief executive of the Patients' Association, said he welcomed the initiative if it would cut waiting times.

But Labour party chairman Charles Clarke was given an angry reception at a London rally of public sector workers as he put forward the Government's case for public private partnerships.

Under the controversial scheme announced yesterday, thousands of patients waiting for routine hospital operations could be treated at Bupa's Redwood Hospital in Redhill.

Health Secretary Alan Milburn said the hospital would be the first of 20 diagnostic treatment centres promised by 2004 in the Government's NHS Plan.

It will carry out routine operations such as hip and knee replacements which do not require long stays in hospital, with no charge to patients.

Mr Milburn said the arrangement would produce real benefits for patients.

"The biggest problem we have in the National Health Service is a shortage of capacity, of beds, of doctors, of nurses, of operating theatres and of after-care," he said.

A spokeswoman for Bupa said she could not rule out a new role for the 53-bed Bupa hospital in Washington, Tyne and Wear, but it was too early to comment.

While the Surrey hospital suited the plan because it was attached to a neighbouring NHS trust, the 53-bed Washington hospital is a larger, more self-contained private hospital with its own intensive care unit, she added.

TUC general secretary John Monks said it was time to give the Government a "kick up the backside" about the contributions made by public sector workers.

Yesterday, as part of national public services day, Unison representatives manned a stall in the market in Chester-le-Street, County Durham,

Members from the local branch of the union drummed up support throughout the morning and handed out mince pies to shoppers.

Leaflets were also handed out in Darlington.