Andy Burnham has been appointed as the new health secretary, with Alan Johnson moving to become home secretary.
Mr Burnham is the MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester and has, since January 2008, been the secretary of state for culture, media and sport.
Mr Johnson was widely predicted to move and takes over the post vacated by Jacqui Smith, who stepped down after becoming embroiled in the expenses scandal.
Mr Burnham was previously the chief secretary to the Treasury. He has brief experience of working in the Department of Health, performing the role of minister of state for delivery and reform for under a year.
His parliamentary voting record suggests he is in tune with the current direction of health policy, voting very strongly, according to the website theyworkforyou.com, for the introduction of foundation hospitals and the smoking ban.
More recently he voted against reducing the abortion time upper limit from 24 to 22 weeks. Mr Burnham also voted against both an amendment to outlaw hybrid embryos and an amendment to outlaw saviour siblings.
He voted in favour, however, of the need for a father and a mother in IVF.
Kings Fund chief executive Niall Dickson said: “It’s frustrating to have another change at the top when Alan Johnson had been in post for less than two years. This move has nothing to do with what is best for the health service.
“However, if a change had to be made we welcome the choice of Andy Burnham. He has experience of the health system both as a minister and in his earlier career and he has shown he is committed to the NHS and to reform.”
Stephen Campion, chief executive of HCSA, commented: “As a member of the NHS social partnership the HCSA pays tribute to Alan Johnson who showed that he was prepared to listen to, and understand, senior hospital doctors.
“Listening is an important skill for doctors - I hope that same skill will be found in the new secretary of state.”
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