The NHS Alliance welcomes appointment of Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP as secretary of state for health and social care

Responding to the appointment of the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP as the secretary of state for health and social care, Sir Ciarán Devane, chief executive of The NHS Alliance, said:

"On behalf of our members, we welcome Yvette Cooper's appointment as the new secretary of state for health and social care.

"The most important thing the NHS needs now is clarity and continuity as it is already going through a major reorganisation and there is much support for the government's 10-Year Health Plan.

"Local NHS leaders are making progress in reducing elective waiting lists, boosting productivity and working closely with local public sector partners to improve health outcomes. We call on the new secretary of state for health and social care to continue with the current direction of travel as any changes now risk slowing progress and diverting attention away from the delivery of better care for patients. 

"Improving health outcomes also requires action to support social care, which is long overdue. We therefore welcome the new Prime Minister’s plan to bring about reform of social care, helping to ensure that adult social care services are funded properly and meet the needs of people across the country."