Image copyright Science Photo Library Image caption Health Minister Simon Hamilton has said he supports a seven-day health service in Northern Ireland

Stormont Health Minister Simon Hamilton has given his support to a seven-day health service in Northern Ireland.

"I welcome the debate started by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt around how we can move towards a seven-day NHS," he said.

"When I took up the post of minister, I made it clear that I had a vision for a world class health and social care system for Northern Ireland.

"Patient need doesn't dissipate because it's a weekend and the service we deliver needs to change accordingly."

Mr Hamilton was speaking after the health secretary said he was prepared to impose seven-day working on hospital doctors in England.

During a speech in London, Mr Hunt said that a "Monday to Friday culture" in parts of the NHS had "tragic consequences" and said 6,000 people die each year because of this.

Image caption Health Minister Simon Hamilton wants to bring a positive change to the standard of healthcare people receive

Mr Hamilton added that he looks forward to working with health service staff and other administrations in the UK to bring about positive, transformational change to the standard of care patients and people receive.

"In wanting to work towards delivering the best health and social care system, what has been to the forefront of my mind has been what is best for the people of Northern Ireland," he said.

"Reforming and transforming health and social care in a way that puts the patient and people at the centre is an immense challenge that brings with it what can appear to be tough choices and difficult decisions."

He added: "Sometimes that will mean embracing new technologies to deliver services.

"And sometimes that will mean changing how we work within health and social care.

"What I want to see is us moving progressively towards a seven-day NHS in Northern Ireland, one where patients and people don't notice a difference between a week day and a weekend."

Dr Sara Hedderwick of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Northern Ireland said her members "have no problem supporting seven day services".

"We would be very keen to discuss with Mr Hamilton how best to roll-out a seven-day NHS service in Northern Ireland," she told Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

"I hope he doesn't feel that an imposition, such as that suggested by Mr Hunt would be helpful.

"I would like to ask him what services he would like to run at weekends and what services he would like to run during the week and how he plans to fund these."