Good Morning Britain's Dr Hilary Jones came under fire for comments he made on today's show.
The TV doctor joined anchors Susanna Reid and Ed Balls on Wednesday's edition of the ITV news programme. They discussed Liz Truss' pledges after the new Prime Minister vowed to make the NHS an "early priority".
Dr Hilary said the NHS is in a state of "crisis" with record waiting lists and people struggling to get an appointment with their GP. The medical expert called on the PM to revisit the pay award for junior doctors and ensure more doctors are recruited and retained to address the crisis.
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The healthcare service has also been hit by a delay in ambulances due to lack of resources. Susanna admitted she was "afraid to call an ambulance" as she read out a series of harrowing stories from viewers who have been impacted by delays.
The broadcaster was taken aback when Dr Hilary suggested people are "abusing" the service. He said: "People who have got cars outside their house and could take that patient to hospital themselves but call an ambulance instead."
Susanna shot back: "If you're calling an ambulance that's because you want a paramedic team who are going to treat a patient in your home. You might be afraid of moving that person."
Dr Hilary insisted anyone concerned about this should phone the 111 service for guidance - and a frontline NHS worker named Andy later contacted the show to echo Dr Hilary's thoughts and invited anyone to join on a 10 hour shift to see "how the service is abused by people who are calling 999."
However, viewers following the show on Twitter hit out the medical expert's comments.
Sandra said: "Had to turn off #GMB this morning. @DrHilaryJones actually said, people calling ambulances who have cars sitting outside their homes are abusing the system. What planet is this man on. Thank God he's just a TV doctor"
Dave posted: "Disgusting comments by “Dr” Hilary"
Sian commented: "Dr Hilary saying calling an ambulance if you’ve got a car outside is abuse of the NHS?????? Get him off"
Scott posted: "So Hilary if you have a car but call an ambulance its an abuse of the service?"
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