Lost irony? Jeremy Hunt launches doctors’ morale review… while imposing unpopular contracts

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has been ridiculed for announcing a government review into the morale of junior doctors on the same day he said a new, deeply unpopular contract would be forced upon them.

Hunt told the House of Commons the review will look at doctors’ quality of life and well-being, including inflexibility around annual leave, separation from family members and lack of notice about hospital placements a long way from home.

The health secretary said he discovered “deep –seated issues relating to junior doctors’ morale” during negotiations with doctors’ union the British Medical Association (BMA).

Twitter users were quick to mock Hunt, who appears to be unaware of the irony of his statements.

A parliamentary petition for a no confidence vote in Hunt is rapidly approaching 80,000 signatures. The petition, started by Graham Hillman, attacks Hunt’s record in the top health role.

“Mr. Hunt recently gave totally inappropriate advice toGoogle conditions before seeking medical opinion,” it states.

“He referred to Paramedics as Ambulance Drivers and has caused the first Doctors strike in years of the NHS. Mr. Hunt is destroying all staff morale in the NHS & will cause recruitment issues.”