Sharon Hodgson MP: Appointment as Public Health Minister is a privilege and a role I am excited to get stuck into
Amongst all the campaigns I have pursued as a backbench Member of Parliament, a key theme throughout has been pushing for a healthier and happier society.
Whether it be campaigning for the best start in life for our children and young people, for increased awareness and funding for women’s health, or advocating for bereaved mothers to be able to receive baby-loss certificates, health has been a prominent focus of my work.
My recent appointment as Minister for Public Health and Prevention, therefore, is a privilege of a lifetime and a role I am excited to get stuck into. When I campaigned for Labour to get into power ahead of the 2024 General Election, I did so with the confidence that my constituents were going to be better off if we were to be successful. Almost two years into government, we have made progress to be proud of.
If we look at the Department for Health and Social Care alone, data shows that despite the busiest winter on record, waiting lists fell by over 43,000 in the month of January.
January also saw the fastest ambulance response times for half a decade; average waits are down to less than 29 minutes for heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, waiting times at A&E are the shortest for four years, despite huge demand over the winter months. Ambulances are arriving quicker, GP satisfaction is up and A&E waits are down too. In the first year of government, we set a target of two million extra elective appointments in the first year. However, we smashed that target and delivered more than five million between July 2024 and June 2025.
These are not merely numbers and statistics – this is the change promised by this Labour Government coming to fruition. This is the concrete difference that can be made by the right political choices, that can only be made by a Labour Government.
We know that change takes a while to be felt and that it can sometimes feel frustrating to hear positive numbers and not necessarily feel it in your life and your community.
However, I am confident that what is seen will soon be felt in our community and region more widely. I came into politics to make people's lives better because I believe that no matter who you are, where you come from and what your background is – your life should go as far as your ambition and honest hard work takes you.
Key to this principle is ensuring everyone has the healthiest start in life and has access to the healthcare they need throughout their lives.
I am proud that I will now be able to play a direct part in delivering on this, on behalf of my constituents and the country more widely.