By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor
An MP whose life was saved by the NHS after suffering a heart attack at the weekend has told Jeremy Hunt to stop “talking down” the NHS.
Mike Grapes a Labour MP was struck down with a heart attack in November said the Health Secretary was incorrect when he claims there is a not a seven-day health service.
Grapes said: “Can I tell the secretary of state, I was admitted to the hospital in the early hours of a Saturday morning at a weekend. I spent five-and-a-half weeks in intensive care.
“I had many conversations with doctors during the time I was in St Mary’s Hospital Paddington.
“I really do ask him to look to the circumstances of those doctors today who do work weekends. We do have a weekend NHS. It is not true to say there are people like me who lives are not saved because we are admitted at weekend.”
“Can he stop talking down the medial profession and start defending the doctors.”
However, this news will not stop Hunt who stated there will be “no retreat” over the contract dispute with junior doctors. Mr Hunt still adamantly believes these changes are made to ensure NHS services work 24/7.
It is possible that Hunt may not actually have the legal powers to enforce the contract upon junior doctors.
