Andrew Lansley ditched as health minister in favour of culture secretary

Following the controversy over his much-criticised reform of the NHS, Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, has been shockingly demoted as part of the Government’s cabinet reshuffle announced today.

Lansley will take on the role of leader of the House of Commons, while his position will be filled by Jeremy Hunt, who was previously culture secretary.

It will now be Hunt’s job to oversee the switch to GP commissioning and the efficiency savings outlined in Lansley’s Health and Social Care Bill.

The appointment provides a fresh opportunity for doctors and government to work together to improve patient care and deal with the many challenges facing the NHS

Reacting to the news, Dr Mark Porter, chairman of British Medical Association’s Council, said: “The appointment provides a fresh opportunity for doctors and government to work together to improve patient care and deal with the many challenges facing the NHS.

“The NHS is struggling to cope with the consequences of major change. At the same time worsening financial pressures are having an adverse impact on many patient services including waiting times and the availability of some treatments.

“We look forward to working with Jeremy Hunt on the many pressing issues facing our health service.”

The NHS is struggling to cope with the consequences of major change. At the same time worsening financial pressures are having an adverse impact on many patient services including waiting times and the availability of some treatments

Dr Peter Carter of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) also welcomed the arrival of new blood to the post after admitting he had not seen eye to eye with Lansley over the reforms.

He said: “The RCN will now be looking to work with Jeremy Hunt to ensure that the nursing voice is heard."

And a spokesman for Unite union urged Hunt to ‘reflect deep and hard on the errors of his predecessor’ and work with clinicians and nurses to protect services for patients and staff.