An NHS group which allows private companies to bid to provide health services has moved to reassure people that quality will not be sacrificed for cheaper contracts.

The Waltham Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (WFCCG) was set up in April as part of a nationwide transformation where primary care trusts were abolished to be replaced by the CCGs, which put out services to tender in the private sector.

The government hopes the competition will lower prices but others are concerned the cheaper costs could mean poorer medical treatment.

Campaigners who marched on Whitehall on Saturday against the changes also fear a two-tier health system will be created where the rich can pay companies extra for better treatment on top of what the NHS pays for.

However, Dr Anwar Khan, interim chair of WFCCG, said: “As a new clinically-lead NHS organisation who are responsible for many NHS services that local people use, we are dedicated to ensuring we have the best possible services for our community.

“Through our commitment to involve local people in shaping local services, we are confident that only those services which keep safety, quality and good patient experience at the heart of what they do, will meet the high standards that Waltham Forest residents deserve and that we demand as new commissioners."

At least 50 people from the borough met at Walthamstow Central underground station on Saturday to head up to join the London march.

Jim Fagan, a Keep Our NHS Public campaigner, said: “It was an excellent day. There was a very good turnout from Waltham Forest and it shows the strength of feeling and opposition to the changes this government is making.”