Dame Diana Johnson (pictured) has been appointed minister of state at the Department of Health and Social Care.
The MP for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham was previously minister of state at the Department for Work and Pensions between 6 September 2025 and 21 July 2026, and minister of state in the Home Office between 8 July 2024 and 6 September 2025.
She was named backbencher of the year in 2018 for her work to secure a public inquiry into the NHS contaminated blood scandal.
Meanwhile, Karin Smyth has retained her role as health minister.
The pair are joined by new boss Yvette Cooper, who has succeeded James Murray as secretary of state for health and social care.
Yesterday, advisers Health & Protection spoke to called on Cooper for continuity in maintaining government initiatives such as Keep Britain Working and the Milburn Review tackling youth labour market inactivity following her appointment.
Cooper is the eighth health secretary, though Steve Barclay held the role twice, since the pandemic, and the third person to hold the role this year.
