Jeremy Hunt was grilled by MPs from Labour, the SNP and Green Party at Health Questions today on whether his department is responsible for the impending junior doctors’ strike. The Health Secretary said he was happy to talk to the BMA at any time and the government is simply fulfilling a ‘manifesto commitment’ for a seven-day NHS, as well as acting in the best interests of patients:
‘This is essential for the constituents of all honourable members, whichever side of the House they’re sitting on, and this government will always stand on the side of patients and the weekend mortality rates are not acceptable and that’s why we’re doing something about it’.
His opposite number in Labour, Heidi Alexander, said ‘if junior doctors do vote for industrial action, there will be one person to blame and that person is the Health Secretary’.
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