by Our News Desk

DOCTORS and nurses hit back at Heath Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s claims there is a “Monday to Friday” culture in the NHS by posting pictures of themselves working this weekend.

Mr Hunt made the comment earlier this week as he outlined plans to impose seven-day working at hospitals across the country.

But in riposte medics have gone on Twitter to post pictures and messages showing they are working at the weekend, causing the hashtag #ImInWorkJeremy to trend on the site.

Neurosurgeon Mark Wilson wrote: “24 patients seen — about to do neurosurgery operation — straight 72hrs on call!”

Sebastian Nixon uploaded a photograph of himself in his green medical scrubs and wrote: “Sixth shift this week in the Derriford ED. Damn these lazy doctors and their extravagant weekends. #ImInWorkJeremy.”

One called Dr Scott, from Glasgow in Scotland, wrote: “Just seen the Anaesthetic, Ortho, ICU, obstetric & surgical consultants in on a Saturday at 8am. Where were you @Jeremy_Hunt?

Mr Hunt went on Twitter to answer his critics, writing: “To drs on shift 2day: thx 4 ur hard work. Now we need 2 reflect that professionalism wth modern contract 2 make NHS safer! #ImInWorkJeremy.”

But the hapless Health Secretary landed himself in hot water after tweeting a photo of himself in blue scrubs with doctors at University College Hospital in London.

The photo captured a board listing the patients on the ward in the background, and critics demanded Mr Hunt issue an apology for the apparent breach of patient confidentiality.

Last week the British Medical Association accused Mr Hunt of launching “a wholesale attack on doctors” by threatening to enforce new-seven day contracts if they do not agree to work more weekends.

The doctors’ union said the ultimatum was a “blatant attempt” by the government to distract the public from its “refusal to invest properly in emergency care.”

Mr Hunt is giving the union six weeks to negotiate changes to working contracts.