Yvette Cooper MP appointed health secretary by Prime Minister Andy Burnham

Yvette Cooper MP was named as the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care by Prime Minister Andy Burnham last night (20 July).

Cooper, who held the roles of foreign secretary and previously home secretary under former Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, replaces James Murray MP.

Murray came into the health secretary role in May 2026, after the resignation of Wes Streeting MP.

Cooper’s appointment came as the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, formed his cabinet immediately after coming into office.

The wider health team remains unchanged, with Stephen Kinnock MP and Karin Smyth MP retaining their roles as primary care minister and secondary care minister respectively.

Cooper has become health secretary in the midst of the rollout of the 10-Year Health Plan, which aims to bring health and care into communities and relieve the pressure on secondary care.

It also aims to focus on prevention, and move the NHS from analogue to digital working.

The plan was developed by Wes Streeting during his period as health secretary, and was published in July 2025.

AOP CEO welcomes Yvette Cooper to health secretary role

The AOP has welcomed Cooper's appointment, and has urged her to work with the optometry sector to deliver planned NHS reforms by “unlocking the potential” of community-led eye care services.

Adam Sampson, chief executive of the AOP, said: “On behalf of the Association of Optometrists and our members, I would like to congratulate Yvette Cooper on her appointment as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.”

Referencing the 10-Year Health Plan, Sampson said: “Two years ago, the Government set out an ambitious vision for the NHS in England, committing to shift care from hospitals into communities.”

Sampson emphasised: “Optometry is already delivering on this agenda every day, providing accessible, high-quality eye care in communities across the country and helping to deflect pressure away from GPs, A&E and hospital eye departments.

“As the new Secretary of State takes up this vital role for the Government, maintaining momentum on NHS reform will be essential. We encourage her to build on the progress already being made and to work closely with the optometry sector to unlock the potential of the profession for the benefit of the public.”

He added: “Commissioning more community-based eye care services in every corner of England, not just a few pockets of the country, will improve access for patients, reduce unnecessary hospital appointments, and make better use of NHS resources.

“The challenges facing eye care continue to grow, with rising demand driven by an ageing population and increasing prevalence of long-term conditions affecting vision.”

Sampson noted that: “Delivering the ambitions of the Government's 10-Year Health Plan requires firm leadership to deliver sustained investment into primary care, including community optometry.”

He added that the AOP looks forward to “working constructively with the new Secretary of State and the Government to put a plan in place to ensure that everyone, wherever they are in England, can access timely, high-quality eye care close to home, protecting sight and improving health outcomes for the public.”

The AOP will be releasing a policy briefing regarding the changes at the Department of Health and Social Care in due course.

Lead image: Yvette Cooper MP is appointed as health secretary by Prime Minister Andy Burnham at 10 Downing Street on 20 July 2026