James Murray MP appointed health secretary after Wes Streeting resignation

James Murray MP has been announced as the new secretary of state for health and social care after the resignation of Wes Streeting yesterday (Thursday 14 May).

Murray was previously chief secretary to the Treasury. He has been the MP for Ealing North, in West London, since 2019.

As health secretary, Murray will have overall financial control and oversight of NHS delivery and performance, as well as oversight of social care policy.

The AOP has welcome the appointment, with the association’s chief executive, Adam Sampson, emphasising: “The new health secretary has an opportunity to build a more joined-up and resilient health and care system, but this can only be achieved by prioritising primary care and integrated community services.”

Murray’s previous role means “he will be aware of the need to ensure that health money is spent to best advantage,” Sampson said.

Streeting resigned as health secretary on Thursday 14 May, citing a lack of confidence in Keir Starmer’s government.

Streeting’s announcement came after a string of resignations in light of last week’s local election results.

Dr Zubir Ali MP, previously the parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department of Health and Social Care, had resigned his role on Tuesday 12 May.

Stephen Kinnock MP and Karin Smyth MP remain as ministers for primary and secondary care respectively.

“A renewed commitment to moving more care closer to home”

Murray’s appointment “comes at a pivotal time for the NHS,” as “rising demand, workforce pressures, widening health inequalities and growing waiting lists, felt acutely in eye care, continue to place significant strain on services across the country,” Sampson said.

He added: “Addressing these challenges will require long-term leadership, sustained investment and a renewed commitment to moving more care closer to home – as set out in the 10-Year Health Plan.”

The 10-Year Health Plan, published in July 2025, sets out the Government’s plans to move care from hospital to community, from treatment to prevention, and from analogue to digital. Further detail was provided in a Neighbourhood Health Framework, published in March this year.

Investment in the whole of primary care remains critical to the success of these shifts, and in transforming patient access, Sampson said.

He emphasised: “Primary eye care services have a vital role to play in reducing pressure on hospitals and supporting earlier intervention for patients. Yet eye health is too often overlooked in national health policy despite rising demand and growing inequalities in access. But community optometry is well placed to deliver more care closer to home, improve patient outcomes and reduce avoidable pressure on hospitals.

“This requires stronger integration within neighbourhood health, better digital link-up, and commissioning models that work for patients. The new health secretary has an opportunity to build a more joined-up and resilient health and care system, but this can only be achieved by prioritising primary care and integrated community services.”

The AOP’s co-commissioned PA Consulting report, entitled Key interventions to transform eye care and eye health, was published in November 2024 and revealed the economic savings that moving more eye care services into the community could have. The report also emphasised the public health benefits of investing in eye care.

“We look forward to working with the new health secretary to ensure the delivery of the Government’s ambitions for a healthcare system that works for all,” Sampson said.