- ITV Report
The parent of a sick child has confrontedBoris Johnson, accusing him of visiting a north-east London hospital for a “press opportunity”.
Mr Johnson, who was at Whipps Cross University Hospital, told the parent, whose child was being treated at the facility, “there’s no press here”.
But the parent gestured to cameras filming the confrontation and said: “What do you mean there’s no press here, who are these people?”
The parent claimed there had been “years and years and years of the NHS being destroyed” and said the situation was “not acceptable”.
He told the Prime Minister: “There are not enough people on this ward, there are not enough doctors, there’s not enough nurses, it’s not well organized enough.”
Mr Johnson explained he was “here to find out” about the situation but the man said: “It’s a bit late isn’t it? Years and years and years of the NHS being destroyed. “
The man added: “The NHS has been destroyed … and now you come here for a press opportunity.”
The hospital visit came amid what may be a difficult few days for the prime minister, as his decision to prorogue Parliament ischallenged in the Supreme Court.
A spokesman for the prime minister said Mr Johnson was visiting public services to see for himself the reality of the situation.
The spokesman said the man was understandably “very distressed” and the Prime Minister was “not going to hide away from those circumstances when he goes on these visits, and so obviously is keen to talk to people and empathise and see what he can do to help “.
“It’s also a reminder of why exactly he is so keen to make the NHS a priority and make sure it’s getting the funding that it requires,” the spokesman added.
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