LANCASHIRE doctors have backed a vote of ‘no confidence’ in health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Representatives at the British Medical Association’s ann-ual meeting passed the motion with an ‘overwhelming majority’, accusing Mr Hunt of leading an ‘ideological attack’ on the NHS, and its staff.

Dr David Wrigley, representing Lancashire GPs at the union’s conference, in Edinburgh, said: “I was very supportive of the resolution and it was passed by a large majority.

“All we hear from Mr Hunt is criticism of staff and the NHS.

“There’s hardly anything positive.

“He seems to want to blame everything, apart from his own problems. In recent times we’ve heard him blame GPs for the current problems with A&E, saying we don’t work out of hours, but that’s blatantly untrue.

“Some of the problem is down to his own policies, such as the new 111 service, which has increased the workload on A&E.”

Mr Hunt said he was not surprised by the BMA’s stance, saying members were reacting to a speech he made earlier this month about hospital staff and patient safety.

He said he has acted in the interests of patients, and many doctors and nurses agree that care needs to be improved.