Steve Barclay becomes new Health Secretary
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The Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following the resignation of Sajid Javid.
Mr Barclay has been the Conservative MP for North East Cambridgeshire since 2010. He previously had a brief stint as a Heath Minister, which involved responsibility for NHS workforce and finance. Other former roles include Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
PSNC Chief Executive Janet Morrison said:
“PSNC would like to welcome the new Secretary of State to his role. He joins the Department at a critical time as the NHS continues on the long path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. We see community pharmacy as being a vital element of plans for that recovery and know that we could do so much more, but only with appropriate funding. We look forward to working with Mr Barclay, the Pharmacy Minister and their colleagues to further dialogue about the future role and funding of community pharmacy.”
Change of Pharmacy Minister
James Morris MP has been named as the new Minister with responsibility for pharmacy, replacing Maria Caulfield who has been promoted within the Department. His official title is Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care.
Mr Morris has been MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis since 2010. He has previously held the roles of Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury) and Vice Chair of the Conservative Party.
PSNC CEO Janet Morrison said:
“PSNC welcomes the new Minister to his role, and we look forward to meeting with him at the earliest opportunity. We will work to ensure that Mr Morris is fully briefed on the serious current pressures that pharmacy teams are facing, as well as the incredible value that they bring to their communities. There is a real opportunity for community pharmacy to play a greater role in the nation’s biggest healthcare challenges with the right funding and capacity.”
