Local MP for South West Surrey Jeremy Hunt has spoken of his delight following his promotion to Secretary of State for Health in the Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle. Jeremy moves from his position as Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport after nearly two and a half years in the role and prior to this having shadowed the position since 2007. Jeremy will replace Andrew Lansley in the Health Department and will oversee important NHS reforms as he continues the work of his predecessor. Jeremy’s promotion comes on the back of the hugely successful Olympic and Paralympic games in London which he has overseen. He is not the first MP for South West Surrey to take on the health brief as his predecessor Baroness Bottomley undertook the role in John Major’s government. After 5 years working on DCMS matters Jeremy is now ready for his new challenge.
Jeremy said “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Secretary of State for Culture and it was hugely exciting to be part of the Olympics. But the NHS is an even bigger project - and it will be the biggest challenge and privilege of my life to be responsible for it. The work I have done locally with Haslemere and Milford Hospitals has shown me how massively important our community hospitals are and will be an important grounding for me as I help to guide the NHS through the challenges ahead."