Steve Barclay reappointed as health secretary

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reappointed Steve Barclay as health and social care secretary, with Therese Coffey moving to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Mr Barclay was health secretary for a short while under Boris Johnson, after Sajid Javid resigned. He was succeeded by Dr Coffey when Liz Truss took over as prime minister.

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In 2018, Mr Barclay had served as health minister and became health secretary in July this year. He had been considered a Boris Johnson loyalist and was a fervent supporter of the leave campaign.

Mr Barclay was health secretary for two months until, during which time he approved a 4.5% pay increase for NHS staff on Agenda for Change pay rises - although he made very few statements about pharmacy during his short tenure.

Meanwhile, the new Prime Minister has asked former health secretary Jeremy Hunt to continue in his newly-appointed role as Chancellor.

Mr Hunt took over from Kwasi Kwarteng earlier this month, as part of a bid by short-lived Prime Minister Liz Truss to remain in post despite the catastrophic effects of last month’s tax-cutting mini budget.

Immediately upon his appointment, Mr Hunt reversed almost all tax cuts that had been announced except the reversal of hikes to National Insurance (NI).

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The Pharmacist has taken a look at Mr Sunak's pharmacy and healthcare track record look for clues as to what might happen under his premiership.