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Jeremy Hunt is 'humbled' to be reappointed as health secretary

The newly appointed members of the new Department of Health ministerial team comment on their plans for the NHS while they are in office

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has made a ‘heartfelt thank you’ to nurses for their hard work and said he is ‘humbled’ to have been reappointed to his position within the new health ministerial team.

Speaking about his new appointment, Mr Hunt said: ‘I am humbled to be reappointed health secretary, not least because of the enormous responsibility of thousands of doctors, nurses and other NHS staff who are working incredibly hard right now and under enormous pressure.

‘To them I want to say a heartfelt thank you for all their efforts, with a simple message: like you, I want the NHS to be the safest, most caring and highest quality healthcare system in the world.’

He said his biggest priority is to transform care outside of hospitals, adding that there needs to be a ‘step change in services offered in GP surgeries, community care and social care’ to ensure every single older person is treated with the highest standards of care.

Other appointments to the Department of Health ministerial team following the general election are: Alistair Burt as minister of state for community and social care, Jane Ellison as parliamentary under secretary of state for public health, Ben Gummer as parliamentary under secretary of state for quality and David Prior as parliamentary under secretary of state for NHS productivity.

George Freeman has been appointed parliamentary under secretary of state for life sciences and innovation.

Ms Ellison said: ‘We have already made great strides in improving the health of the nation so people can live longer, healthier lives. But more needs to be done and I am privileged to have been asked to continue this essential work.’

Mr Burt said: ‘Our NHS and social care services are full of remarkable individuals doing work that touches the lives of many people. I am looking forward to listening to those involved and doing all I can to ensure the government plays its full part in the further development of these vital services.’