Health minister Jeremy Hunt is facing a backlash over claims there is a "Monday to Friday culture" in the NHS, as hashtag '#ImInWorkJeremy' goes viral.

Doctors, nurses and hospital staff have reacted to the claims made earlier this week by posting pictures of themselves at work over the weekend.

Mr Hunt made the comment as he outlined plans to impose seven-day working at hospitals across the country.

On Twitter the 'ImInWorkJeremy' hashtag is still trending in the UK as medics continue to post their selfies in a bid to highlight their long hours and gruelling night shifts.

Neurosurgeon Mark Wilson wrote on Twitter: "24 patients seen - about to do neurosurgery operation - straight 72hrs on call! #ImInWorkJeremy."

Sebastian Nixon uploaded a photograph of himself in his green medical scrubs and wrote: "6th shift this week in the Derriford ED. Damn these lazy doctors and their extravagant weekends. #ImInWorkJeremy."

One called Dr Scott, from Glasgow in Scotland, wrote: "Just seen the Anaesthetic, Ortho, ICU, obstetric &surgical consultants in on a Saturday at 8am. Where were you @Jeremy_Hunt? #ImInWorkJeremy."

 

Since being bombarded with selfies from angry workers Mr Hunt has tweeted: "To drs on shift 2day: thx 4 ur hard work. Now we need 2 reflect that professionalism wth modern contract 2 make NHS safer!#ImInWorkJeremy."

Amid the Twitter storm Mr Hunt also tweeted a picture with staff from the brain surgery unit at UCLH and said "thx for making me welcome".

 

The British Medical Association (BMA) accused Mr Hunt of launching "a wholesale attack on doctors" by threatening to enforce new-seven day contracts if they do not agree to work more weekends.

The doctors' union said the ultimatum was a "blatant attempt" by the Government to distract from its "refusal to invest properly in emergency care".

Mr Hunt is giving the union six weeks to negotiate changes to working contracts for hospital consultants and junior doctors after claiming around 6,000 lives are lost a year for lack of senior staff on Saturdays and Sundays.

Have you posted an #ImInWorkJeremy selfie? Get in touch and send your pictures to jessica.bell@london.newsquest.co.uk.