The Department of Health and Social Care has appointed former Health Secretary Alan Milburn as the Lead Non-Executive Member to its board.
During his time as Secretary of State Milburn had a strong track record of reducing NHS waiting times, whilst also improving satisfaction. Given the current state of the NHS, and the government’s drive to fix it and make it fit for the future, experts are being brought in to help develop policy.
Alongside the use of experts to drive policy, NHS staff and patients are being given the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas as to how the NHS can develop.
Milburn was a health minister between 1997 and 1998, then becoming the Health Secretary between 1999 and 2003. Commenting on his appointment, Milburn said:
“I am delighted to be appointed to this role.
“Having spent three decades working in health policy, I have never seen the NHS in a worse state. Big reforms will be needed to make it fit for the future.
“I am confident this government has the right plans in place to transform the health service and the health of the nation. I’m looking forward to working with them to achieve that mission.”
As the Lead Non-Executive Member of the department’s board, Milburn will provide additional support to the Secretary of State, alongside the board’s core role of offering independent advice and expertise that will inform strategy.
Current Health Secretary Wes Streeting added:
“As Secretary of State, Alan made the reforms which helped deliver the shortest waiting times and highest patient satisfaction in the history of the NHS.
“This government has inherited a broken health service with some of the longest waiting times and lowest patient satisfaction in history. I am delighted to welcome Alan to the department board, where he will offer advice on turning the NHS around once again.
“His unique expertise and experience will be invaluable and he has an outstanding track record of delivering better care for patients.”
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