Jeremy Hunt was confirmed to stay in the role of health secretary after the announcement of a new cabinet.
Mr Hunt was one of only four cabinet ministers to retain his role from David Cameron’s cabinet, following new prime minister Theresa May’s accession to number ten.Following the announcement Mr Hunt tweeted that he was ‘thrilled to be back in the best job in government’.
In the lead up to the reshuffle, there was much speculation that he would be replaced as health secretary and ultimately removed from Ms May’s cabinet.A number of names were rumoured to take over the role including Amber Rudd MP, who became home secretary and Sarah Wollaston MP, the well-respected chair of the health select committee.
Mr Hunt has served as health secretary since 2012, taking on the job after serving as culture, media and sport secretary. He is now on course to become one of the three longest serving health secretaries ever. During his tenure, he has championed a seven-day NHS service and worked to improve care and diagnosis for people with dementia.
But Mr Hunt has also been embroiled in a controversial dispute with junior doctors over the terms and conditions of their contract, imposing it despite junior doctors voting against it.
When speaking to Independent Nurse last year about his plans for the NHS he assured that ‘[nurses and healthcare assistants] will continue to have a central role in this government’s vision for the future of the NHS’ and that nurse prescribers and practitioners were crucial.
Janet Davies, the RCN chief executive and general secretary reaffirmed her willingness ‘to work with the health secretary on issues affecting patient care and the nursing profession. ‘The RCN hopes that Mr Hunt’s reappointment marks a new chapter of his leadership during a period of great change,’ she added.