Jeremy Hunt has been diagnosed with a case of severe “bullshit” after his claims about NHS improvement under the Tories were given a second opinion by an unlikely source – Dr Who star Ralf Little.
The actor took it upon himself to disprove Hunt in a truly epic Twitter thread and has also challenged the Health Secretary to a TV debate over the future of the NHS.
It comes after the pair clashed over the Tory MP’s claim on the Andrew Marr show last month that he is leading the “biggest expansion of mental health provision in Europe”.
Little accused Hunt of lying to the public:
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) October 29, 2017
A week later, Hunt replied to Little with some statistics supposedly backing up his claim:
4,300 more employed by mental health trusts, 2,700 more employed in talking therapies, 1400 more people treated every day since 2010. Isn’t it ur job 2 find a major European country that’s done better and faster rather than make assertions you can’t support? I double dare you
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) November 8, 2017
Now Little has run some tests on those figures and revealed the results – they don’t look good for the Health Secretary…
So if statistics and facts aren’t your thing and you only follow me for the silly jokes – look away now. But if you care about accountability and the NHS, read and RT this THREAD written in reply to @Jeremy_Hunt 👇👇👇
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(1) Firstly @Jeremy_Hunt, if you think that’s my job you seriously overestimate the responsibilities of actors. However, in response… pic.twitter.com/9ATdnAKN92
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(2) You said to find a European country that’s “done better” & “faster” than your quoted statistics. But firstly, are those stats legitimate?
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(3) REPOST with correct link…
FactCheck already proved you lied about mental health worker numbers, which you had to admit to… https://t.co/H2pqAXunoF
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(4) So before I start with my task at hand, let’s examine your latest stats more carefully.
“4,300 more employed by mental health trusts”— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(5) Impressive sounding, but “employed” is a broad term…
In terms of “employed” DOCTORS and NURSES; fact checkers https://t.co/nmpgO1D2fa disagree: we in fact have much FEWER of them, as described here…https://t.co/u4BNEtgvrJ— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(6) Also according to https://t.co/L9LHiYfJm0 we have 14% fewer mental health nurses than we did in 2010.
In real terms this amounts to 6000. Six. Thousand. FEWER. Nurses.— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(7) Psychiatry doctor numbers have remained almost flat, in fact falling slightly:
We now have 170 FEWER fully trained doctors now vs 2010.— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(8) The future doesn’t look great either – training for new psychiatry specialists fell to only 69% of places filled this year after two rounds https://t.co/VJpUrOhhdn
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(9) If these are just boring stats for you (and anyone else reading) let me summarise…
The mental health workforce in England is around 210,000 staff…
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(10) Therefore an additional 4300 more “employees”, (not necessarily doctors or nurses), is JUST a 2% increase over 7 years. Meanwhile the WORKLOAD INCREASED by 28%.
In real terms, almost a crisis. It certainly looks nothing like this manifesto pledge. https://t.co/ykFYzCxZK0
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(11) Now I appreciate this is a difficult problem to overcome, but it’s your job. Firing out misleading stats on Andrew #Marr and Twitter helps no one, except perhaps you.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(12) Next up…
“1400 more treated every day since 2010.”
I assume you got that from this NHS Digital graph…https://t.co/6VxKZHDe7q
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(13) Seems ok at 1st glance, but unfortunately for you, https://t.co/p1A9bhLIgi have stated this figure is UNVERIFIABLE as they have changed the methods of measuring mental health user statistics over the time period.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(14) In addition, this figure was then confirmed UNVERIFIABLE by NHS Digital, the very people who created the graph in the first place! https://t.co/eJqUrBPseE
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(15) So in actual fact you are quoting a figure to state your position and measure your successes… that NO ONE CAN CONFIRM.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(16) I don’t blame you – if no one kept a record of Oscar winners I’d be telling everyone I’ve got four. #quadrupleOscarwinner #Boom
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(17) There’s another problem with this claim of yours. To get technical, quoting this as people “treated” is also misleading, as what the graph specifically shows is number of people “IN CONTACT WITH” a doctor.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(18) In the REAL world, outside of graphs and stats, that’s an important distinction that someone in your position really should be aware of.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(19) It could be the difference between seeing a doctor for an initial consultation (“in contact with”) and actually prescribed a treatment plan with medication/follow up/therapy (“treated”)
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(20) In terms of patient experience and care, that’s a HUGE difference.
To reword this statistic from “in contact with” to “treated” is horribly inaccurate, misleading, and simply NOT THE REAL TRUTH.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(21) So… Either you know it’s a lie and you said it anyway, or you were genuinely unaware of the distinction.
Instead of name calling, I’ll choose to believe you were unaware and said it in good faith.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(22) The good news is, now that you – and Twitter – know that this statistic is total bullshit, you won’t feel the need to use it again.
On to your final claim…
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(23) “2700 more employed in talking therapies.”
Well, I think you’re wrong, which might not surprise you.
But what might be a surprise is, I have some good news for you…
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(24) In actual fact I think the stats are BETTER for your case than you have stated…
As far as I can tell it’s actually closer to 3000 more in talking therapies – an INCREASE on the 2700 you claimed.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(25) As you can see, I’m more interested in transparent discussion than mud-slinging, and happy to concede where appropriate, as in this case.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(26) So… now to address your original challenge of finding a European country doing “better” and “faster”…
Well, given what we’ve learned about those numbers you quoted, it’s hard now to find a single metric for what is defined as “better”.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(27) But what I CAN say, based on the real (not “alternative”) facts is the following…
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(28) We have far fewer doctors, nurses and beds per mental health patient than 2010, so have in fact gone backwards in that regard.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(29) Even IF the workforce has risen as you say, it is not unreasonable to attribute this to the IAPT programme which started in 2008 – under the previous government.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(30) However, most other staff groups have fallen, and nurses more than any other.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(31) So to answer you succinctly, it may be difficult to categorically state we are doing “better” than other European countries, but it’s pretty straightforward to say that we are doing considerably WORSE than we were in 2010.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(32) I hope this meets the challenge you issued to me.
Now it’s my turn to issue a challenge in return.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(33) As I’ve demonstrated, you have a real problem with cherrypicking statistics to suit your needs. This may be acceptable in other jobs, but this is medicine, this is the NHS… this is SCIENCE.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(34) Indeed when the world’s smartest scientist Stephen Hawking himself called you out on this science, you were happy to claim your superior knowledge… of science, to the world’s smartest scientist!… so I’m sure you’ll happily do the same to me.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(35) But the fact remains that cherrypicking statistics is manipulative and damaging to public office, and to the health service. And I’m afraid the science – and the scientists – back me up, no matter how much and how loudly you protest.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(36) So here’s my challenge…
I note you invited Prof. Hawking to meet and discuss these matters, and you repeatedly point out on twitter that he hasn’t yet agreed to.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(37) Well, whilst I don’t pretend to possess even a fraction of his intellect, might I take up the offer?
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(38) I suggest you and I sit down in real time, broadcasting live online, in the presence of fact checkers and medical professionals. Not about antagonism, but simply to reassure the public that your intention is to protect the NHS – free at the point of use.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(39) Because, Mr. Hunt, no matter what you’ve said, I have to tell you, at this point pretty much no one believes that you don’t want to privatise it, either openly or on the quiet.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(40) And even if your intention IS to privatise it, let’s be honest about it, so the public can vote fairly and with all the facts. The NHS belongs to them.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(41) So let’s not call each other names – if you’re the decent sort you say you are, and often appear to be on twitter, let’s have an open conversation and some transparency on the future of everyone’s healthcare.
The British public deserve it.
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
(42) Do the decent thing. I triple dare you.
<end of thread>
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) November 13, 2017
Hunt better hope he hasn’t cut the burns unit…
Dulari-Leiylah Markelke says:
Excellent exposure
Dennis ford says:
Don’t expect to hear from him he wouldn’t dare debate in the public arena
Anonymous says:
*Mike Drop* Ralf out!
Anonymous says:
An typical Tory of the highest order. Deserves a knighthood for what he’s doing to the NHS. I deplore knighthoods!
Anonymous says:
Well done Ralf. We will wait and see if he takes up your offer, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Robin says:
Mr Hunt will be uncontrollably dribbling behind the shower curtain of his £40,000 tax payer funded bathroom trying to massage the alternative facts in his favour. Nicely called out Ralf..
Look forward to the Queens cousins response..!!
Anonymous says:
Mr Hunt will be uncontrollably dribbling behind the shower curtain of his £40,000 tax payer funded bathroom trying to massage the alternative facts in his favour. Nicely called out Ralf..
Look forward to the Queens cousins response..!!
Bob says:
Well done Ralf we need more people like you to expose these people. Can you please do a similar exposé on barking, buffoon Boris
Anonymous says:
mr cunt just might be that stupid
Julian Rouse says:
Simply excellent well done ralf
Tesh patel says:
It’s time for general election, when a party will not allow it’s economic manefesto be independently compared to apposing parties and then have to pay £1billion to have control, this is not democracy it’s the rape of nations human and democratic rights. The NHS, banking, utilities and food industries are being controlled by private corporates. In summary, health, well bring, security, safety, law, and human rights are being taken away from the 99%
Tim says:
My absolute hero Ralph! X
Fiona says:
Just looked for @ralphlittle on twitter but he does not appear in my search. Has #Hunt reported him for telling the truth?
susan skeith says:
Bravo Ralf, you hero. Now if only all the information you have so brilliantly gathered could be broadcast on a mainstream programme, in order to educate the ‘British People’ instead of them believing the facts as presented in the Mail, Telegraph and Sun. The NHS means so much to me and to the voting public – Hunt’s lies need to be exposed.
Julie Howard says:
Called out in style! Nice work Raif
steve says:
Fiona, check your spelling of Ralf
Maureen Milbourne says:
Whehey…. great stuff.He is so smug like most conservatives but if they are gojng to quote stats they have to be correct.Just a pity it wasn’t on live tv.
Maureen Milbourne says:
Well done
Maureen Milbourne says:
Mary Richards says:
It is doubtful he will meet with you. He tends to run away and hide behind trees rather than listen to people who just might know what they are talking about.
Lesley Cookman says:
Superb.
Linda P says:
Brilliant!!
Mila says:
Brilliant Ralph!! Lets all join you in this dare!! Mr. *unt Needs to be exposed!
Anonymous says:
Well bravo Mr Little, an excellent piece, simply brilliant, one of those pieces you wished you’d come up with yourself.
Andrew Metcalf says:
Well done Ralf, it can sometimes feel like shovelling blancmange trying to counter the flow of careful selected unrepresentative data these people insist on publishing – largely unchallenged by the mainstream media. My MP is Philip Dunne, no 2 to Jeremy Hunt in Dept of Health, and I spend too much of my life trying to highlight the big lies hidden behind the little truths he insists on releasing into our local community. Keep up the good work – facts, however strong dont shift many people’s allegiances very quickly, but the drip drip drip makes a difference – person at a time!
Anonymous says:
Brilliant see he has gone quiet don’t see any more comments of Hunt
Anonymous says:
Well done Ralph. I doubt he’ll take you up on your offer and will probably hope this just gets ignored by the mainstream press. Who are all in on the lies these people spread to further their own hidden agendas.
David Anderdon says:
Outstanding…simply outstanding!!
Anonymous says:
Keep up the good work.
B Traynor says:
I always liked you Ralph. But now I love you. What you have said could not be bettered .it’s a shame the weasel , Hunt won’t have a public debate with you. He is a true blue snivelling weasel , and a coward when it comes to the truth. Watch him squirm his way out It would be funny if it wasn’t so serious .as our our NHS is under threat from these people Keep it up Ralph
Neil tilstone says:
You wrecked his argument Ralph!
Dawn Upson says:
While I praise Ralph Little for so expertly calling bullshit on Jeremy Hunt I must take issue with describing him as a Dr Who star. Ralph has been in one episode of Dr Who but has starred in other series.
michael troup says:
Excellent. But why do the media let him get away with it? He has been distorting NHS statistics willy-nilly for years. It looks like he wants failure/chaos so he can say the NHS isn’t up to it anymore – let’s privatise. Visit any A+E any evening and you will see how understaffed/under-resourced they are, despite which they will be doing their best, and most patients will get a fair service, if at times delayed. Come on media, get your act together, and quiz him at the highest level, no 1 minute sound bites.
Debra Arrow says:
Just love this. Well done!
Elaine O'Callaghan says:
Well done Ralph. You HAVE done your homework. I would love to watch that debate.
Ashley Horsfall says:
Absolutely cracking Ralf I doubt if you’ll get an on air debate with the spineless inept lying moron who is intent on privatising the NHS, selling it off to the likes of Branson et al
mark burrell says:
brilliant, a shame Andrew marr doesn’t question outright lies on primetime tv, thanks ralph
Judith says:
Well done Ralph ! I love your acting but have you ever thought about becoming a journalist or an MP ?
Jeanne Jackson says:
BOOM!
Jo says:
Removal of the student nurses bursary, introducing student fees to nursing students who already complete a 35 hour week of placement and theory and barely have time for a part time job to fund their studies. Removal of funding of CPD to help develop your career as a nurse (which is required to keep your pin. Im paying £2k for mine) and the cost of a nurses pin continues to 8ncrease with no pay increase. Why be a nurse?? The tories want it gor the elite and privileged and to make nursing in the private sector more appealing so people will jump ship.
Steph Mitchell says:
Arse kicking……….expert level
Catherine Moran says:
Finally someone in the public eye has exposed this lying government for what they are. Well done Ralf!
So many times the government set up smoke screens to divert the public’s attention away from their very real and urgent plans to sell off OUR NHS. Twitter is great but it’s not out there enough for the uninformed general public, this needs to be broadcast on television at peak viewing time.
I sincerely hope it is before it’s too late.
Paula says:
Hundreds of trained counsellors are graduating from university’s every year, no jobs to be found as counsellors unless you are IAPT trained. Can’t apply to get on the course unless you retrain as a PWP and then become a High intensity therapist!
Mike Endy says:
Excellent Ralf. Can someone now do the same to expose the Conservatives in the way they are destroying every other aspect of public services. The NHS is crucial, but so is education and they have the wrecking ball out for that as well. We all know that equality of opportunity is an impossible objective, but this government is determined to destroy the chances of children attending state schools to improve the opportunities of the establishment. Perhaps the Labour Party could research the education system with as much skill as you have shown, enough to show how the use of academy trusts is destroying any hope for equality in education?
Pat Fletcher says:
Brilliant piece, well written. Now to get it on national tv channels, newspapers etc. But who will dare ? MSM in control of the minority party , or vice versa. The FEW are definitely ‘ all in it together ‘
Jean Helsby says:
Huge admiration for you Ralf. That’s a lot of fact finding you’ve done. Can’t wait to see this live discussion .
Anonymous says:
Wow!!! You may be my new superhero…. I’m definitely going to google you ASAP 😉
Sonia McDonnell says:
Have you thought about going into politics Ralf?
Penquin says:
Well done, Ralf that is excellent but of course he will not respond as he won’t be able to understand it – there are more than three letter words in it…..I am sure that he knows he was trying to pass over false information and wil not want to draw more attention to himself. It is disapointing that Andrew Marr did not tackle such cr9p at the time it was spouted……
Marion May says:
OMG that so blew your cover Mr Hunt! Let’s see what your next move is going to be? Dare you rise to the challenge?
Anonymous says:
Well done Ralph
Pauline Hardwick says:
I pray that sometime in the the future the will of the people is based on such truths you display. Instead of the lies of the self ordained elite, and self righteous.
Jacqui says:
What is truely shameful besides Hunt lying, is that all the stats Ralph that you called upon, are presumably the same stats that are available to Andrew Marr, The Today programme and other interviewers and that they do not do the same. Challenge the lying bastards with facts is all we need them to do so I’m left feeling that the BBC biaise is real. Well done Ralph.
Stephen Wise says:
top marks to ralf little. but really – twitter is a very painful way to get this kind of message across. endlessly. broken. up. into. little. bits.
Patricia leung says:
How despicable that Mr Hunt is still able to proffer his ridiculas lies. What is so sad that after I spend my adult life working in mental health in all age groups this government has continued to distroy our NHS. How can the general public have voted this despicable bunch into power it beggars belief. If I could tell you staff in mental health have been trying to defend their patient groups from all this creeping privatisation for the last decade. Teams consistently loose out in tendering . The changes that were forced on trusts are unaceptable if you can’t deliver safe services it is wrong to try to patch and make do. Patients deserve better. I feel for colleagues still trying to provide services in such a toxic environment . If only the general public were truly atuned to what this government is doing they would be sure to march on Downing Street .
Michael Harris says:
Fantastic – well researched, well written – don’t hold your breath on the debate though!
bjorn says:
I think a lot of politicians and political opinion leaders use A Marr show as a platform for peddling lies, and they rarely get seriously challenged.
Jan says:
Oh I enjoyed that well done Ralph.As an x nurse I worked through Thatcher and Majors mess but ,Hunt takes the biscuit for destruction and lies.
Nicki says:
Ralf Little, you Sir, are EPIC. As a mental health patient, I have yet to see a doctor in psychiatry. So far I have only been seen by nurses, and the talking therapy offered has a limit of maximum 12 sessions, and quite frankly, was no help at all and just wasted my time and the petrol it took to get to the health centre where the therapist worked from which was only accessible by public transport if I took 4 buses! Mental health services are not effective in the UK – this is from the perspective of being a patient of the service
David says:
Nice one Ralf … well done. Safely say that there goes your nighthood as the son of a former Nuffield Trust director, the cousin of BUPAs girl in the Lord’s and cousin of the Queen who made his money by fleecing the taxpayer with his company Hotcourses (a job given to him by Bottomley when at the British Council) and MP for Bottomleys former constituency, also co-wrote a book before joining the Government on privatising the NHS. It’s about time someone stood up to these over-priviledged sociopaths who think they can do what they want without being held to account for the consequences of their actions. Respect to Ralf.
Ken says:
Jeremy Hunt won’t debate with Ralf, so why not get Ralf on the Andrew Marrs show for ‘clarification’ of Hunt’s stats?
Anonymous says:
Well Done Ralf!
It must have taken you a good while to sort out that information you gave Jeremy Hunt, it would have cost the NHS thousands if not more, to put a research project together & gather the correct info, & then l am sure it would have ‘miraculously’ changed before it was released.. Time to speak to the people on the ground, working day in day out to see what works for them & where improvement is really needed, rather than pay millions to private firms to tell them what they ‘think’ is needed from behind a desk somewhere a 100 miles away..
Peter Phillips says:
Why is he still in the job. He’s an embarassment to the government, the NHS and the British people.
Anonymous says:
The “mainstream ” media won’t go against him “Hunt” or the Tories because that greedy Aussie Rupert Murdoc controlls it. And he’s a BIG Tory supporter and benefactor.
Alan Short says:
Get Ralph on Marr show, bombard BBC with requests for this, extremely well done Ralph.
Anonymous says:
What improvement Mr Hunt???????
Yesterday and the day before our heating system was out of order, are these yet another form of the NHS cuts??!!!!!
John says:
Government statistics are fairy stories but not the sort to read to kids at bedtime. Well researched and presented Ralf. It’s a pity Jeremy did not do the same.
Dan says:
I don’t think referring to Ralf Little as a Dr Who star when he only appeared in one episode as a minor character is as immediately recognisable as if you has said; star of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps or The Royle Family.
Lesley Innes says:
This is excellently researched and put together Ralph – well done – when are you standing for MP we need more like you!!
Hazel Harper says:
A brilliant blast through government speil Ralf. Well done. Very worrying that you, ve done more fact finding than the minister who is supposed to care.
Dawn says:
Ralph your are a bloody legend. As an NHS worker I see the trouble each shift. The staff do their best but resources simply aren’t there. Mental health referrals are hard to get with patients often waiting months for appointments but it simply isnt good enough. When they are in crisis the 24hr emergency numbers are often left unmanned or switch to leaving voicemail that is never returned. They are told to go to a+e to see crisis teams which is often the last place they want to go or feel safe in. Jeremy Hunt stop hiding behind bullshit figures spoonfed to you by sycophants and tell the truth however bad it is. Go back on Andrew Marr show with Ralph and debate.
Ian Hall-Dixon says:
Hunt, like the rest of the Nasty party, have been spouting false info to provide a shield to their real agenda and performance since Cameron. Great expose, need more of the same.
AQ says:
“Nice one, Lurch!”
(In a Jim Royle voice)
Dave Walne says:
Well researched Ralph. Let’s see if any of the media pick this up and the opposition react.
Ann McMahon says:
Well done Ralf, that should wipe the smirk from his face!
Gail says:
Statistics are like bikinis. What they show is interesting; what they conceal is paramount
Kim says:
Good take down! I am one of those statistics that has seen a doctor but not getting any help as I can’t face phoning up. I have notified them by email but they still asked me to phone personally to make an appointment despite my aversion to phone (irrational I know). Stuck in catch 22
Warwick Downes says:
As others have said, it is beyond belief that Andrew Marr was not properly briefed to hold the lying Hunt to account, given the researchers at his disposal. But things are worse than that. He should have been called out in the House of Commons by those who should be holding him to account: HM Opposition. Now it may be that it is un-Parliamentary to call an Hon. Member a liar, but given the facts as presented by Mr. Little (why do they have no researchers available to do this work?), he could at the very least be proven to have been “economical with the Truth”.
nsf says:
I agree with Warwick that Hunt should have been challenged by the Opposition Party, but this is unlikely to happen as it would set a precedent of MPs having to actually present the truth,which NO party wants any part of
Tina says:
Well, I guess that feels a whole lot better to get that off your chest! Standing up and calling these Eton boys out. Do your job Hunt and stop lying. We see you.
Mark Webb says:
Ralph Little you star – this is just brilliant. I have hope that JH will pick up the challenge
Louise Cullen says:
Sorry Ralph regarding above message – just thought if you had these figures it would give you more ammunition.
Pete Gill says:
Now lets get Jeremy Corbyn and his magic money tree in to turn the NHS around.
…oh wait..
mark says:
Jeremy Chunt is a man described by someone who met him as “the thickest man in a suit that I’ve ever had a conversation with. There is nothing going on behind the eyes. It’s like trying to get through to a mollusc in a coma”.
Annette Quane says:
Every weekend there are Never enough mental health beds to place our mental health pts therefore they block acute medical beds Awaiting treatment .. whats your answer to that
John Clutterbuck says:
There is not one comment that supports hunt ( polite word for his name ) why the truth always seems to disappear when the present tory government speak and is not challenged always amazes me but not surprised. The realization of the lies is growing and cannot come soon enough for me. The truth and transparency is the most important factor of any question and answer public programme.
Viv Nicholson says:
Great response, neads to be printed on leaflets and pushed through every door so the public get to see the truth.
Anonymous says:
Top man ralf
W mann says:
Well put
Jeremy Haslam says:
We have heard a lot about NHS privatisation. It would be opportune for some careful and unbiased journalist (Ralf Little or his ilk) to give us a run-down on all that has been done by Hunt and his cohorts in the last few years to push forward this outcome – an agenda mainly under the counter and hidden from view. Here is a challenge for the Guardian editorial team . . aided of course by Ralf.
Anonymous says:
Excellent response, unfortunately I have no faith Hunt will take up your offer as he knows he’s been found out….
John Fawkes says:
Privatisation is the only explanation for the perpetuation of the failed and pointless commissioner/provider model in the NHS. Without this model it would be virtually impossible to sell off services under the counter, bit by bit, as is/will be happening. And without this model we could pump billions and billions more £ into front line services.
Rose says:
Well done Ralf. Wish this could be printed in the newspapers. But we all know who controls them. Rupert Murdoch. He should be called out on what he’s doing to our country. The tories are all just his puppets.
I applaud you for standing up for the ordinary man and woman. All credit to you. We’re all behind you.
harry walsh says:
about time somebody has taken the time to challenge the lies of this party its time to take back control of our NHS I would call on the British people to question every statement made by the conservatives ,
Anonymous says:
You should be in his position!!! Lying b politicians. Politicians and insurance companies should be shot to space ….. hoops forget to bring them back.
Anonymous says:
Change jobs Ralf & sort out NHS out! Could write a book with our experience of the last month!
Sue Dale says:
Can’t understand why the Tories get voted in again and again. 95% of the British people need social services and yet vote for an anti socialist party! When will they wake up? Probably when the NHS is privatised and they can’t afford it! Hope I’m not here then!
Marc says:
And as the REAL NHS staff hope for a better rise in wages, Mr Hunt wallows in his vault tossing his £50 notes high above his head giggling like a little girl on a Christmas morning after her wishes came true….
F J Ward says:
As Mr. H(C)unt co wrote the book on “How to dismantle the NHS” … also given the state of moral THROUGHOUT the public medical profession. It would be fair to say the Tolies (Scottish slang for shit) have already started the process of privatising the NHS and most recently via Branson. Despise doesn’t begin to cover how I feel about them.
Derek Marley says:
A lot of people don’t realise Ralf gave up his studies to be a Dr at Manchester University Medical School when he got the part of Anthony in the Royal Family – he’s a bright lad who knows what he’d talking about. Unlike that Hunt who I’m sure won’t have the guts to take Ralf up on a live debate !
Anonymous says:
Hunt… apart from the hatred you have for yourself, how Easy is IT to hide the fact that you are one of the most hated people outside your inbred family of fucktards? Small legs and long spines are the least of your worries you horrible piece of lavish cock puke.
Anonymous says:
Owned !!!
Bb says:
Mental health nurse for 40 years and love my job but despair at how services have been cut. Moved forward with the times, embraced new ways of working, supported CBT, IAPTs, CRTs and home treatment yet we are stuck now with nothing to offer service users as every NHS and support/ community service has tight criteria and is time limited. Come and spend a week working in an acute mental service and see what real life is like Mr Hunt! Finish your early shift which should have ended at 4.30pm, at 9pm because you have to get all the paperwork done otherwise the trust won’t get its funding. Finish your late shift at 11pm, instead of 9.30pm because we have responded to a family in crisis and then drive 20 miles home and get up and go to work the next morning. I love my job, could have retired 3 yrs ago, still have the energy, interest and desire to work for many more yrs. Saddened our health service has been ruined, public shout and abuse us not politicians. Well done Ralf. The truth hurts.
Julie Fancourt says:
Well said Ralf! Such mental health service cuts also have a knock on effect on social services who have to sort out issues for those people with mental health problems who don’t reach alarmingly high eligibility criteria for referrals. These problems ARE social issues but probably wouldn’t have happened had the root cause (mental illness) been addressed in the first place – this leaves overstretched social service departments (over 30% cuts in government funding since 2010 when the coalition government took power – a statistic taken from ADASS (the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) – take note Mr Hunt) running round in circles knowing they are only patching things up and that these social issues are highly likely to recur due to the underlying cause (mental illness) not being treated. Of course the government aren’t too concerned by this as they want to privatise social services too, so failure in their eyes is a good thing….