News alert / Atkins appointed as health and social care secretary

New health and social care secretary Victoria Atkins was encouraged this week to focus on seven  ways in which she can make a difference over the next year. NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor said her priority should be to resolve the current industrial action, with the cost of the settlement fully covered. She was also urged to focus on the implementation of existing plans rather than new policy and work on understanding issues around productivity. Among remaining suggestions, Mr Taylor suggested she might also put a focus on children’s services, which he said were at breaking point. Ms Atkins moves from the Treasury, where she was financial secretary, and replaces Steve Barclay who is the new environment, food and rural affairs secretary. Andrew Stephenson and Andrea Leadsom have been appointed as health ministers.