latest health care news

Former MP appointed to Lords role as health innovation minister

Former MP Nicola Blackwood has been appointed as a Lords Minister for Innovation in the DHSC, health secretary Matt Hancock announced last week.

Blackwood, who previously served as a Conservative MP for Oxford West and Abingdon from 2010-2017, will lead on key policy areas such as: making a success of Brexit; medicines pricing and regulation; and life sciences policy and industry engagement, industry strategy and NHS innovation, amongst other responsibilities.

Blackwood also previously served as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the then-called Department of Health from July 2016 until June 2017, and was chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee from June 2015 to July 2016.

Delighted @nicolablackwood is returning to govt as our new Lords Minister for Innovation in @DHSCgovuk - a fantastic champion of health innovation, bringing a wealth experience to the post. Congrats Nicola! https://t.co/N0yxiVFMYF

— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) January 10, 2019

Blackwood said she was “simply delighted” to be rejoining the department:

Thank you for so many kind messages today. I am simply delighted to be rejoining @DHSCgovuk today as Minister for Innovation. Looking forward to getting started #NHS

— Nicola Blackwood (@nicolablackwood) January 10, 2019

Blackwood will now take over ministerial responsibilities previously held by Lord O’Shaghnessy, who stood down citing family reasons last month.

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