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A new health minister accused “consumerist” patients of using the NHS as if they were on a shopping spree, it has emerged.

Winchester Tory MP Steve Brine blamed problems in the NHS on Brits wanting to have it all.

Comments Mr Brine, 43, made at the 2015 election as an aide to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt have been unearthed by Labour .

He said: “We have a consumerist society in this country and that consumerism has spread into the National Health Service.

“We are raising expectations so much around the NHS and our health professionals are buckling under the pressure of that expectation.”

(Image: Getty) (Image: Getty)

Shadow Health minister Justin Madders hit back: “This is yet another example of the Tories blaming patients for the problems in the NHS.

“It’s only right that patients have high expectations of care. It’s Tory underfunding that’s left hard working NHS staff struggling to cope.”

Last week we revealed that another fresh face on Mr Hunt’s ministerial team is backing plans for her own local hospital to be closed to make way for housing.

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During her election campaign in Thurrock, Essex Jackie Doyle-Price, 47, defended pulling the shutters down on her local Orsett Hospital.

The hospital is earmarked to be sold for housing as part of a major shake-up of health services in the area.

At present it offers a minor injury unit as well as clinics such as dermatology, neurology and pain management.

A Health Department spokesman said: “It’s a testament to staff that the NHS is rising to higher public expectations — and as the Minister said, it’s right that clinicians should lead on the development of services.”