Dame Diana Johnson assumes responsibility for pharmacy

Following last month’s ministerial changes, it has now been confirmed that Dame Diana Johnson DBE has taken on responsibility for pharmacy at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Dame Diana (MP for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham) has become Minister of State for Public Health and Patient Safety. Dame Diana’s role includes the pharmacy portfolio alongside general practice, health inequalities and neighbourhood health.

Dame Diana moved from the Department for Work and Pensions and has held previous Government roles in the Home Office, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and HM Treasury. In Opposition, Dame Diana spent time on the Health and Social Care Committee and indicated her support for community pharmacy, having attended some of Community Pharmacy England’s Parliamentary events.

Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, 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.”

Engaging with the new Health Ministerial Team

Community Pharmacy England has written to both Dame Diana and the recently appointed Health Secretary Yvette Cooper to introduce them to community pharmacy. These letters describe how pharmacy’s vision for the future aligns with Government ambitions for healthcare, highlighting the sector’s potential if it receives the right support.

In the coming months we will work to build meaningful relationships with the new ministerial team alongside our day-to-day discussions on core issues with DHSC officials and wider influencing work.