
Even after returning to the backbenches after rejecting a job in Boris Johnson's cabinet, Jeremy Hunt has managed to score a spectacular own goal after tweeting about about the state of child mental health services.
The former longest-serving health secretary since the NHS was created is also one of the most controversial. Between 2012 and 2018 he oversaw the first all-out strike by doctors over junior doctors pay, as well as historically low funding increases for hospitals and worsening waiting times for emergency treatment.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) also fell under his purview during his time as health minister, a fact that didn't escape unnoticed by Twitter.
On Saturday, Hunt tweeted:
Watching my son play his first matches with Milford Pumas have just been approached by another Dad about problems accessing CAMHS...so much more to do on mental health really hope some of the extra NHS cash goes towards it
Watching my son play his first matches with Milford Pumas have just been approached by another Dad about problems a… https://t.co/l2gnOrGpwz— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy Hunt) 1567847537
People on Twitter were quick to point out that Hunt had served as health secretary for six years
@Jeremy_Hunt If only someone like you had been Health Secretary for 6 years and could’ve sorted it out 👀— Ash Sarkar (@Ash Sarkar) 1568012037
If only there was some way of knowing who was Health Secretary between 2012 and 2018 and who brought in all the cut… https://t.co/UGiE8LHJmr— David Schneider (@David Schneider) 1567862086
Blimey! You seem to have forgotten you were the Health Secretary for six years https://t.co/t3gDOssfMA— Clare Hepworth OBE (@Clare Hepworth OBE) 1567974726
@Jeremy_Hunt You were in charge of it!!! YOU. You held the role longer than anyone else in history I believe. And y… https://t.co/PW0udPiM7M— Keyzer Sue-Gray (@Keyzer Sue-Gray) 1567853985
Others blamed the former health secretary for overseeing significant cuts to child mental health services during his tenure
@Jeremy_Hunt Did you tell him you starved CAMHS of funds?— Ann Scott (@Ann Scott) 1567857670
@Jeremy_Hunt https://t.co/0EvNzSwSdq I wonder who the Health Secretary was during this time?— Mccrackers (@Mccrackers) 1567857632
@Jeremy_Hunt What a poignant vignette, if only it didn't come from a man who voted for every austerity measure prop… https://t.co/vbRe5UL8Zp— Cookie🇮🇪🇪🇺💙 (@Cookie🇮🇪🇪🇺💙) 1567866238
And one person even reimagined what Hunt really meant to say.
@Jeremy_Hunt I’ve fixed that for you. You’re welcome. https://t.co/hFWNvYfwnK— Nick Harvey (@Nick Harvey) 1567876830
Looks like leaving government hasn't made Jeremy Hunt any less immune to putting his foot in it.
@Jeremy_Hunt FFS https://t.co/GNQElbGAPr— Great Aunt Augusta #FBPE #RejoinEU 🇪🇺🇪🇸💙 (@Great Aunt Augusta #FBPE #RejoinEU 🇪🇺🇪🇸💙) 1567886501
HT The Poke
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