Activists believe they are being silenced at Kent County Council meetings after being denied the chance to speak because it might "set a precedent".

Campaigners from Save Our NHS in Kent (SONiK) claim they are not being allowed to ask questions at County Hall despite emailing the council in advance.

Carly Jeffrey, from SONiK, says she has emailed the chairman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee more than five times asking for a chance to make a statement about the stroke review.

The group is campaigning against the potential closure of the stroke unit at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother hospital.

Ms Jeffrey, from Margate, said: "I have asked in advance of meetings on numerous occasions, and I have also tried my best to find out if there is any way at all to make a short statement or to put questions to the elected councillors on those committees, including asking to be a guest.

"The answer is always no, or I get no reply at all.

"There are major NHS reconfigurations being planned in Kent and will be for the next few years.

"These will include cuts to life-or-death services such as emergency stroke care, A&E and maternity services.

"This is why it is so important that the public is allowed a voice."

Ms Jeffreys added fellow campaigners have been allowed to attend meetings but she feels there has been "a conscious effort" to keep her away from councillors.

She said: "Many other county councils allow the public a voice on their HOSCs (health overview and scrutiny committees), and it is unusual for KCC to do the opposite of what is normal at most county and district councils.

"They have told me there is 'no provision' for public speaking.

"I think it goes without saying that this a failing of democracy at Kent County Council."

Jenny Shepherd, from 999 Call for the NHS campaign group, attends HOSC at Calderdale, Kirklees and West Yorkshire councils.

She said: "I'm shocked that Kent don't allow the public to speak at health and overview scrutiny meetings.

"The purpose of scrutiny is to find out if significant proposed NHS and social care service changes are in the interests of the public and the local NHS they rely on - or not.

"Who but members of the public, as experts by experience, are in a better position to know about this?

"Maybe Kent County Council health and overview scrutiny committee thinks that ignorance is bliss.

"We would call that negligence in carrying out their duty to fully examine proposals for significant changes to NHS services.

"Councillors should be open to all the information available."

When fellow campaigner Helen Whitehead tried to talk at a HOSC meeting last month, chairman Cllr Sue Chandler said allowing people to talk would "set a precendent".

Once the webcast was turned off, she said: "I understand exactly why people felt that we should have maybe listened to that member of the public.

"But it is a very difficult balance to both take into account the individual patient experience but also the fact that we have to ensure the committee works at a strategic level.

"It is not a public meeting. I have numerous requests from members of the public to come and speak and on the whole it would not add anything to our meeting for that to happen.

"They are always welcome to send a statement, which I will circulate."

Kent County Council has been contacted for a comment.