Sajid Javid’s parents ‘disappointed he is not a GP’

Health secretary Sajid Javid has said that his parents were ‘disappointed’ he did not become a GP.

Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, he said his current role as health secretary ‘might make up for it’.

Mr Javid made the comments in response to a question from Conservative MP for South West Bedfordshire and second Church estates commissioner Andrew Selous.

Mr Selous said: ‘Primary care is not only the frontline of the fight against Covid; it is also the front door of the NHS and many staff are on their knees at the moment. 

‘May I ask the secretary of state to help more medical students to choose general practice and to stay in it, as that is absolutely fundamental to helping more people get in to see a GP easily?’

Mr Javid told MPs: ‘My parents wanted me to be a doctor – a GP – so they were a bit disappointed, although my mum did say that my current role might make up for it.’

He added that the Government’s commitment to 50 million more appointments and an increased GP workforce ‘remains a huge priority, which I think this pandemic has made even more important than before’.

It comes as the health secretary yesterday confirmed that legal Covid-19 restrictions will end in England next week (19 July), as the Government does not believe the current rise in infection rates will put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.

Mr Javid, who has a banking background, has previously expressed support for GPs and the need for both more doctors and more practices.