Minister jibe at ‘shoppers ruining NHS’
A NEW health minister accused “consumerist” patients of using the NHS as if they were on a shopping spree, it has emerged.
Winchester Tory MP Steve Brine blamed problems in the NHS on Brits wanting to have it all.
Comments Mr Brine, 43, made at the 2015 election as an aide to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt have been unearthed by Labour.
He said then: “We have a consumerist society and that consumerism has spread into the NHS.
“We are raising expectations so much... our health professionals are buckling.”
Shadow health minister Justin Madders said: “This is yet another example of Tories blaming patients for the problems in the NHS.”
Another new health minister, Jackie DoylePrice, is backing plans for her local Essex hospital to be sold off for housing.