Key Points

Victoria Atkins Appointed Health Secretary

Key Points:

• Former criminal barrister Victoria Atkins has been promoted to Health Secretary.
• She replaces Sajid Javid, who resigned from the position on Thursday.
• Atkins is the first woman to hold the role of Health Secretary since Patricia Hewitt in 2007.

Background:

Atkins was elected as the Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle in 2015. She has held a number of ministerial roles, including Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor.

Atkins is a qualified barrister and worked as a criminal defense lawyer before entering politics. She is married to Paul Lincoln, the managing director of British Sugar.

Reaction:

Atkins' appointment has been welcomed by some, who see her as a strong and experienced candidate for the role. Others have expressed concerns about her lack of experience in the health sector.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said that Atkins is "a highly talented and experienced politician who will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role of Health Secretary."

The Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer, said that he "looks forward to working with" Atkins and that he hopes she will "deliver the improvements in the NHS that patients and staff deserve."

Outlook:

Atkins faces a number of challenges in her new role, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the need to address the long-standing issues facing the NHS.

It remains to be seen whether Atkins will be able to meet these challenges and improve the health outcomes of the British people.