A former MP has been appointed a Lord and made the minister responsible for innovation and technology in the health sector.
Nicola Blackwood, who served as a Conservative MP for Oxford West and Abingdon from 2010 until 2017, was named as the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 January.
Her responsibilities will include ‘life sciences policy and industry engagement, industrial strategy and NHS innovation’ as well as ‘data, digital and technology, including cyber security’ in the healthcare sector.
Blackwood previously served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the then-called Department of Health from July 2016 until June 2017.
Delighted @nicolablackwood is returning to govt as our new Lords Minister for Innovation in @DHSCgovuk – a fantastic champion of health innovation, bringing a wealth experience to the post. Congrats Nicola! https://t.co/N0yxiVFMYF
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 10, 2019
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, announced the news on Twitter saying he was ‘delighted’.
He added: “A fantastic champion of health innovation, bringing a wealth experience to the post. Congrats Nicola!”
Blackwood replaces James O’Shaughnessy, who announced he was stepping down from the role in December 2018 due to ‘family circumstances’.
It’s been the greatest honour to serve in a bold, reforming Conservative government led by @theresa_may. I will continue to support our PM – and the Brexit deal she has fought so hard to agree – with steadfast loyalty. pic.twitter.com/Hf324iSIvA
— James O'Shaughnessy (@jamesosh) December 20, 2018
During his time as Parliamentary Under Secretary for Health, O’Shaughnessy oversaw a number of projects.
This included the publication of a code of conduct for AI and data-driven healthcare tech in September 2018.
18 January 2019 @ 23:55
Maybe, but a few years ago I heard her make the most intelligent speech I have ever heard from a Tory politician. Matt Hancock has chosen well.
14 January 2019 @ 22:34
Conflict of interest? Isn’t she on the Board of Push Doctor?
15 January 2019 @ 19:38
Yup!
https://www.pushdoctor.co.uk/strategy-and-governance
19 January 2019 @ 14:38
She doesn’t seem to feature now, though google searching for the link shows the reference to her. it’s still on her linked-in account along with a lot of other things (least of which is PPS to Matt Hancock) … Push Doctor board anyway is of interest to anyone who might think about such old fashioned things as revolving doors and conflicts…but heck why would anyone bother who is able to praise & push INTEROpen ? Huawei on the list of those members who will set commercial interest aside (OK maybe it’s not only commercial I might worry about…) in pursuit of their “vision”: a health & care community through which digital information seamlessly flows” https://www.interopen.org