Seema Kennedy, one of Theresa May’s closest allies, has been appointed as minister with responsibility for community pharmacy at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Kennedy, who was the May’s parliamentary private secretary since 2017 and, according to The Spectator “known for cheering the Prime Minister up during particularly bleak moments in her premiership,” takes over the reins from Steve Brine who quit to oppose the government’s stance on Brexit.

Kennedy is not unfamiliar with public health having overseen a year-long project alongside the Labour MP Rachel Reeves on the effects of social isolation on people's health, work that had been started by the murdered MP Jo Cox.

PSNC chief executive Simon Dukes said: “PSNC would like to congratulate the new minister on her role. We look forward to meeting her at the earliest opportunity and to building on the collaborative working relationship we have established with the Department.

“We will ensure that Ms Kennedy is briefed on the value of community pharmacy and we hope to work with her to ensure that the full potential of community pharmacies is realised.”

Sir Kevin Barron, chair of the All-Party Pharmacy Group, tweeted: "Congratulations @SeemaKennedy on your appointment as Public Health Minister at @DHSCgovuk. Look forward to working with you on a number of issues, in particular community pharmacy and the funding of smoking cessation services."

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