Kent MP Helen Whately has used the last session of Prime Minister's Questions to accuse Labour of trying to weaponise the NHS.

Her accusation was made in a question to Theresa May inviting her to congratulate NHS staff “on their skills, dedication and hard work.”

The PM replied that she was “always happy to congratulate staff who were providing a fantastic service.”

But the question left some on social media underwhelmed.

Some complained the Faversham and Mid Kent Conservative MP had wasted an opportunity to raise any issues relating to either her constituency or the fate of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

The MP said that a recent report had singled out the UK’s NHS as among the best in the world.

“The NHS was rated the best, safest and most affordable, better than France, Norway, Germany, Sweden...too often in this House we focus on the negatives and I have heard Labour trying to weaponise the NHS.”

While she was cheered loudly by fellow backbenchers, there was a less positive reaction on social media.

Twitter users were quick to complain about the question, saying it was a wasted opportunity and had the hallmark of a planted question.

Janis Burns‏ @burnikov tweeted: @Helen_Whately #NHS is the most affordable healthcare system in the world? Is that because of the #publicsector #paycap?

Former Labour county councillor Roger Truelove tweeted: “She didn't get round to Canterbury Hospital.”

Another tweet said: “Sadly, the question sounded slightly planted by whips? No questions regarding Kent?”

NHS fan‏ @sweeternigel tweeted: “When @Helen_Whately talks of @UKLabour "weaponising" NHS, more credible if @Conservatives stopped bombing NHS staff with yearly wage cuts.”

Penketh Riviera‏ @PenkethRiviera tweeted: @Helen_Whately NHS staff can't eat your thanks. How about giving them a decent pay rise?

But the MP took on her critics in her own tweets:

The MP recently led a Commons debate to raise the issue of the the fate of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.