Evidently you are under the impression that argument by authority has some merit. It does not. His qualification to comment remains as with anybody else, the quality of the actual arguments and the nature of any supporting evidence that he puts forward on a particular subject.

Well yes, but I take it you also understand he has motor neurone disease and has therefore been contact with the NHS a great deal during his life.

tell me, who do you trust on this issue more: Hawking or Hunt ?