Matt Hancock has replaced Jeremy Hunt as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care with the departing secretary of state claiming his successor has a “brilliant understanding of the power of technology”.
The news of the cabinet reshuffle broke last night after Boris Johnson resigned as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and David Davis resigned as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
Number 10 then announced on social media that Hunt, who became the longest serving health secretary in June 2018, was to be the new foreign secretary with Hancock also named as Health Secretary.
Speaking on Twitter, Hunt said it was a “massive wrench” for him to leave health.
He added: “Couldn’t ask for a better successor than Matt Hancock to take forward long term NHS plan with his brilliant understanding of the power of technology. The new NHS app will be in safe hands!”
Massive wrench for me to leave health – I know some staff haven’t found me the easiest Health Sec but the NHS, and particularly patient safety, has become my passion & it really was the greatest privilege of my life to serve for so many years
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) July 9, 2018
Couldn’t ask for a better successor than @matthancock to take forward long term NHS plan with his brilliant understanding of the power of technology. The new NHS app will be in safe hands!
— Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) July 9, 2018
Hancock, who previously served as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, also tweeted to say he was “really looking forward” to joining the Department of Health and Social Care “at such an important time for our great NHS”.
He made headlines in February 2018 when he launched his very own app, which features picture galleries and videos as well as updates on his activities.
However, some users of the app were concerned that their privacy would be comprised, as it appeared the application gained access to their photo library whether they allowed access or not, the BBC previously reported.
Really looking forward to joining @DHSCgovuk at such an important time for our great NHS. I can’t wait to get started
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) July 9, 2018
Dr Michelle Drage, chief executive of Londonwide Local Medical Committees (LMC), congratulated Hancock on his new appointment.
She added: “Technology is a massive aid to GPs and their teams, but at the core of general practice is the consultation, and continuity of care. I hope that Mr Hancock is open to supporting what works and together we can help practices benefit from what is new.”
10 July 2018 @ 11:08
it would seem that ministers aren’t subject to the same long notice periods and glacial speed recruitment processes of the rest of the NHS. Having been forced to work a restrictive 12 week notice period recently, to see those at the top walk away on the day they decide to go is a little galling, and then to see the presumably exhaustive selection process to find a replacement completed the same day is frankly incredible. Jeremy Hunt did fight hard for the NHS and a less prominent replacement may not have the same clout or impact.
10 July 2018 @ 10:21
After Hunt being the longest serving secretary of state, I think Hancock will be one of the shortest – a care-taker if you will.
Hancock’s half-hour, but nowhere near as funny, and maybe less hapless.