In People news

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Dame Diana Johnson has been named as the new pharmacy minister, ending speculation that began on July 20 when former post-holder Stephen Kinnock was appointed secretary of state for Wales.

The MP for Hull North has previously held junior ministerial roles at the Home Office and, most recently, at the Department for Work and Pensions, in addition to chairing the Home Affairs select committee from 2021 to 2024 and holding a number of front bench roles in the shadow Home Office team between 2010 and 2015.

An MP since 2005, her appointment to the Department of Health and Social Care was made on July 21. However, her specific responsibilities were announced today (August 10) for the first time.

As minister of state for public health and patient safety, Dame Johnson’s responsibilities will differ somewhat from those of her predecessor, whose title was minister of state for care and who, in addition to handling the primary care brief, was also responsible for social care.

Secondary prevention and screening, children’s health and tackling health inequalities are among the responsibilities listed on her official Government website page that were not referred to on Mr Kinnock’s.

Community Pharmacy England chief Janet Morrison said: “We congratulate Dame Diana Johnson on her appointment as minister of state for public health and patient safety and welcome her new responsibility for community pharmacy. We look forward to working closely with her and the wider ministerial team to help unlock the full potential of community pharmacy.

“Dame Diana has previously shown support for the sector, and we are keen to build on that interest.

“We hope to continue the constructive dialogue established with the outgoing minister, focusing on securing a sustainable future for the sector, addressing ongoing financial pressures, and enabling community pharmacies to make an even greater contribution to the Government’s ambitions for improving access to care, prevention and neighbourhood health services.”

Company Chemists’ Association chief executive Malcolm Harrison said: “We welcome the appointment of Dame Diana Johnson as the Minister responsible for community pharmacy.

"She will find in community pharmacy a willing partner to help tackle many of the challenges the NHS currently faces.

"The sector is key to delivering greater preventative care in the community, but further funding and additional investment is required to close the funding gap and commission more clinical care through community pharmacy”.