Jeremy Hunt's Comments On NHS Prompts Father To Share Heartbreaking Photo Of Premature Son

Dad Shares Photo Of Premature Son To Praise NHS Staff (And Have A Pop At Jeremy Hunt)
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A father who was angered by Jeremy Hunt's comments that the NHS has a 'Monday to Friday culture' has shared a photo of his premature son who was saved by the "miracle workers" at the NHS.

Michael Simpson's son JJ was born 16 weeks early to mum Carla Walker and weighed just 1lb and 9oz.

But thanks to the hard-working NHS staff, his son defied the odds to survive at Nottingham City Hospital's neonatal unit.

Three months on, Simpson, 37, from Boston, Lincolnshire, decided to share the image of his extremely poorly son born on 28 April with a message to the health secretary.

On the photo, Simpson wrote: "Where are you today Jeremy Hunt (Health Secretary)? Bet you're not at work!

"Well there are numerous amazing NHS staff, consultants, doctors and nurses amongst others that are looking after my son and millions of others at weekends and out of hours, get a grip and support them rather than moaning that they don't work weekends.

"Please please like and share this post if you support our amazing NHS staff."

The photo was shared 4,000 times since being uploaded on 19 July.

His wife commented on the photo: "NHS are overworked and underpaid they are miracle workers - that prat needs to give them a break!"

Simpson told the Mirror: "It's taken me a long time to share this picture publicly because of how much it hurts.

"But I was just so angry reading about Jeremy Hunt's comments I had to do something.

"On a weekend, he is probably sitting at home, enjoying time with his family."

Simpson praised the NHS stuff for saving his son's like "so many times" over the last 12 weeks that he has lost count.

Simpson and his wife travel 120 miles to Nottingham every day to see JJ - who is battling chronic lung disease.

He added: "We've seen first hand how hard NHS staff work. They are there all hours of the day and night, seven days a week.

"They are true miracle workers."

Since the photo was uploaded, Simpson has been overwhelmed with the response.

On a recent Facebook post, he wrote: "Didn't realise how much of an impact this would have.

"Thank you to everyone who is sharing this, without the doctors and nurses who have worked tirelessly around the clock seven days a week our precious son wouldn't even be here, NHS staff, you will always hold a special place in our hearts."

The new father later shared a photo of his son, now three months old.

He wrote: "91 days into our journey and I think our little man is beginning to get a little tired too."

Since the comments from Mr Hunt about NHS workers' hours having "tragic consequences", many have taken to social media using the hashtag #ImInWorkJeremy throughout the weekend to prove he is wrong.

HuffPost UK Parents have contacted Jeremy Hunt's office for comment.

Live Music Therapy For Premature Babies
Elizabeth Klinger, Augustin Morales, Lucy Morales(01 of05)
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Music therapist Elizabeth Klinger, right, quietly plays guitar and sings for Augustin as his mother, Lucy Morales, sits next to him in the newborn intensive care unit at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Monday, May 6, 2013. "What music therapy can uniquely provide is that passive listening experience that just encourages relaxation for the patient, encourages participation by the family," Klinger says. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
Elizabeth Klinger, Augustin Morales, Lucy Morales(02 of05)
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Music therapist Elizabeth Klinger, right, quietly plays guitar and sings for Augustin as he grips the hand of his mother, Lucy Morales, in the newborn intensive care unit at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Monday, May 6, 2013. "The music relaxes him, it makes him feel more calm" and helps him sleep better too, Lucy Morales said. "Sometimes it makes us cry." (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
Elizabeth Klinger, Natalia Henner(03 of05)
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Music therapist Elizabeth Klinger, left, speaks with newborn specialist Dr. Natalia Henner in the newborn intensive care unit at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Monday, May 6, 2013 during a break from playing guitar and singing for the young patients in the ICU ward. Many insurers won't pay for music therapy because of doubts that it results in any lasting medical improvement. Some doctors say the music works best at relieving babies' stress and helping parents bond with infants too sick to go home. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
Elizabeth Klinger, Henry Buchert, Stacy Bjorkman(04 of05)
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Music therapist Elizabeth Klinger, left, quietly plays guitar and sings for Henry Buchert and his mother Stacy Bjorkman, in the Pediatric Intensive Care unit at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Monday, May 6, 2013. Research suggests that music may help those born way too soon adapt to life outside the womb. Recent studies and anecdotal reports suggest the vibrations and soothing rhythms of music, especially performed live in the hospital, might benefit preemies and other sick babies. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)
Elizabeth Klinger, Augustin Morales, Lucy Morales(05 of05)
Open Image Modal
Music therapist Elizabeth Klinger, right, quietly plays guitar and sings for Augustin as he grips the hand of his mother, Lucy Morales, in the newborn intensive care unit at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Monday, May 6, 2013. Research suggests that music may help those born way too soon adapt to life outside the womb. Recent studies and anecdotal reports suggest the vibrations and soothing rhythms of music, especially performed live in the hospital, might benefit preemies and other sick babies. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) (credit:AP)