05.09.12
Jeremy Hunt appointed health secretary in reshuffle
Jeremy Hunt became the new health secretary yesterday in Cameron’s reshuffle of the Cabinet, replacing Andrew Lansley.
Hunt was the former culture secretary, and Lansley now moves to be leader of the House of Commons. Hunt will now be responsible for overseeing the controversial health and social care bill that Lansley introduced, which comes into force in April.
Reactions to his appointment have been mixed, with some glad of a fresh perspective on health policy and others more dubious about his capability for the role.
Hunt said the new role was “the biggest privilege of my life” and added: “I’m incredibly honoured and looking forward to getting on with the job.”
Professor Chris Ham, chief executive at The King’s Fund stated: “The new Secretary of State must show political leadership by supporting the case for radical transformation in the delivery of care.
“Although funding pressures on the NHS and social care are an immediate and pressing concern, he must focus on addressing the longer term challenges and ensure change benefits patients.”
Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said she looked forward to working with the new health secretary.
“He is taking up this role at a hugely challenging time as a newly and significantly restructured NHS shortly comes into being,” she said, and called for guarantees on maternity services and jobs for midwives.
NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar also welcomed Hunt and said: “He is taking on a critical brief at a critical time.”
He highlighted the priorities that Hunt must now tackle; ensuring the NHS is financially stable, responsive to an ageing population and long term challenges such as rising rates of obesity.
Farrar added: “We would like to thank Andrew Lansley for his commitment to the NHS over the past eight and a half years, both in opposition and as health secretary. He has held his brief in health for almost a decade and that is something that not many other politicians can say they have done.”
Dr Peter Carter, Royal College of Nursing chief executive, admitted: “In challenging times for the health service, the RCN has not seen eye to eye with Andrew Lansley on the Government’s health reforms.”
He said: “The RCN will now be looking to work with incoming Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt, to ensure that the nursing voice is heard.”
Chair of the Foundation Trust Network (FTN) Peter Griffiths, said: “The new Secretary of state can be in no doubt that he has a tough job. Implementing reforms is always risky, and even more so against a backdrop of severe financial challenges, budget cuts and ever increasing demand for services.
“Andrew Lansley was a firm supporter of the foundation trust model of healthcare. FTN’s members look forward to that on-going support from the new Secretary of State.”
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Image c. DCMS