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.

Enjoying NHE? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!