Diana Johnson appointed Health Minister in new Burnham Government
NEW ROLE: Health Minister Diana Johnson, right, with new Health Secretary Yvette Cooper
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Hull MP Diana Johnson has been appointed Health Minister in Andy Burnham’s new Government.
Dame Diana, Labour MP for Hull North and Cottingham, was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care yesterday.
The department is now led by new Health Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Dame Diana said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as Minister of State in the Department of Health and Social Care and to be working with Yvette Cooper again in her new ministerial team.
“Improving all aspects of our National Health Service is a key part of the change Labour promised in 2024 and I know that reform of Social Care is a priority for the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“I also value our committed NHS workforce around the country and have a well-known record of campaigning on issues around accountability and our obligation to those who entrust the NHS with their well-being.”
CAMPAIGNER: Diana Johnson MP speaking on the infected blood scandal in Westminster on May 19, 2024, the day before the main inquiry report was published
Dame Diana has been one of the leading campaigners for justice in the infected blood scandal.
She previously served as Home Office Minister, and most recently as Employment Minister, under former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Dame Diana became Hull’s first female MP when she was elected in the then Hull North constituency in the 2005 General Election, succeeding veteran Labour MP Kevin McNamara.
She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours list for charitable and political service, and also in part for her campaigning on the infected blood scandal.
Dame Diana was appointed to the Privy Council, which advises the monarch, on March 10, 2021.
Mr Burnham succeeded Sir Keir as Prime Minister on Monday, becoming the UK’s sixth PM in ten years.