Jeremy Hunt as Health Secretary

Jeremy Hunt as Health Secretary

Official portrait of Jeremy Hunt

Jeremy Hunt served as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in the United Kingdom from September 2012 to July 2018. His tenure was marked by significant reforms and controversies, particularly concerning the National Health Service (NHS).

Early Tenure

Jeremy Hunt was appointed as Health Secretary by Prime Minister David Cameron in September 2012, succeeding Andrew Lansley. His early tenure focused on implementing the Health and Social Care Act 2012, which aimed to increase competition and patient choice within the NHS. Hunt emphasized the importance of patient safety and transparency, advocating for a "culture of openness" in the NHS.

NHS Reforms

Hunt's period in office saw several major reforms aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. He introduced measures to increase the use of technology in healthcare, such as electronic health records and telemedicine. Hunt also focused on integrating health and social care services to provide more coordinated care for patients.

Junior Doctors' Contract Dispute

Junior doctors support badges

One of the most contentious issues during Hunt's tenure was the junior doctors' contract dispute. In 2015, the government proposed changes to the contracts of junior doctors, which led to widespread protests and strikes. The dispute centered around pay, working hours, and conditions, with junior doctors arguing that the new contract would lead to unsafe working conditions and inadequate compensation.

Hunt maintained that the reforms were necessary to create a "seven-day NHS," ensuring that patients received the same level of care throughout the week. Despite negotiations, the dispute resulted in the first all-out strike by junior doctors in NHS history.

Patient Safety and Quality of Care

Hunt was a strong advocate for improving patient safety and the quality of care within the NHS. He supported the implementation of the "Duty of Candour," which required healthcare providers to be open and honest with patients when things went wrong. Hunt also focused on reducing avoidable harm in hospitals, such as hospital-acquired infections and medication errors.

International Engagement

Jeremy Hunt visiting the Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health

During his time as Health Secretary, Hunt engaged with international health systems to learn from best practices. He visited healthcare facilities in the United States and other countries to explore innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. Hunt's international engagement aimed to bring successful strategies back to the UK to improve the NHS.

Legacy

Hunt's tenure as Health Secretary was characterized by both praise and criticism. Supporters commended his focus on patient safety and efforts to modernize the NHS, while critics pointed to the challenges faced by the NHS, including funding constraints and workforce issues. Hunt's policies and reforms continue to influence the direction of healthcare in the UK.

Jeremy Hunt with Shinzo Abe and Sir John Major

Related Pages

• National Health Service
• Health and Social Care Act 2012
• Junior doctors' contract dispute
• David Cameron