Boris Johnson confronted by furious parent of 'gravely ill' child over NHS waiting times during hospital visit

Katy Clifton18 September 2019

Boris Johnson was confronted by a parent of a "gravely ill" child over NHS waiting times during a hospital visit in London.

The man, whose child was being treated at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, claimed there had been "years and years and years of the NHS being destroyed".

In a conversation lasting around two minutes, the parent 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 organised enough.

"The NHS has been destroyed... and now you come here for a press opportunity."

An angry parent confronts Boris Johnson
PA

The man has since been identified as Omar Salem, who said on Twitter that Mr Johnson "had the temerity to come to Whipps Cross Hospital for a press opportunity on the children's ward that my seven day old daughter is on, having been admitted to A&E yesterday gravely ill.

"The A&E team were great but she then went for hours on the ward without seeing a doctor."

During the confrontation, Mr Johnson said "there's no press here" but Mr Salem gestured to cameras filming and asked: "What do you mean there's no press here, who are these people?"

The Prime Minister told Mr Salem that he was visiting the hospital to find out about the situation.

But he replied: "It's a bit late isn't it? Years and years and years of the NHS being destroyed."

Boris Johnson confronted at hospital

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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 Mr Salem was understandably "very distressed" and the Prime Minister was "not going to hide away from those circumstances when he goes on these visits".

He added that Mr Johnson "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.

Alan Gurney, Chief Executive of Whipps Cross hospital, added: “We are constantly reviewing staffing levels on our wards to ensure our patients are safe at all times.

"But occasionally - as in fact happened on this ward last night- an unexpected emergency in one part of the hospital can cause a temporary pressure elsewhere.”

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