Russell Howard backs junior doctors over proposed NHS pay cuts and calls Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt a 'b***end'

The comedian pointed out how brilliant the NHS is in his stand-up show

(Russell Howard/Youtube)

Russell Howard might be better known for his self-deprecating stand-up, but the comic has used his platform to back NHS staff over the proposed government cuts to junior doctors pay, calling Jeremy Hunt a "b***end".

On the latest episode of Russell Howard’s Good News, he criticised the plans to cut newly-qualified doctors pay to £22,000 while MPs were getting a 10% pay rise.

“Why are [MPs] being rewarded?” he asked, “Especially when our b***end of a Health Secretary says ‘NHS staff have to work weekends’? They already do!”

Howard, whose girlfriend Cerys is a doctor, said he was “really p****d off” with the negative portrayal of doctors in the media.

“The NHS is an amazing thing,” he said. “You never hear about the good things they do. Liver transplants: free! Heart bypass: free! Nothings free in this country. It costs you 20p if you want to have a s*** in a train station toilet. The NHS is wonderful.”

The proposed new contracts are to be introduced in August 2016. They will include working hours being extended, from 07:00-19:00 to 07:00-22:00, which will cut down on the amount of extra payments given to staff due to ‘unsocial working hours’.

Critics have said this could see significant pay cuts to staff while putting them under pressure to work longer hours, take on larger workloads and be less efficient at delivering vital care to patients.