Health minister Lord Darzi resigns
pharmafile | July 16, 2009 | News story | |Â Â NHS, healthcareÂ
Lord Darzi has quit his high-profile role as health minister in order to concentrate on his patients, and will in future take only an advisory role in government.
The top surgeon, one of several non-political figures brought into Gordon Brown's government two years ago, was tasked in setting out plans for the next 10 years of the NHS in England.
In his resignation letter Darzi said: "During my time as a minister, I have maintained my clinical practice and research. The time has now come for me to return to care for my patients, lead my academic department, and continue my research full time."
Darzi led the Next Stage review and published the report High Quality Care for All in June 2008.
He laid out the framework using his own perspective as a doctor and surgeon and the result was largely welcomed in the NHS, although there were a few divisive proposals, such as polyclinics.
For the past year Darzi has overseen the implementation of the report's conclusion and is now to step down from his post as Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department of Health when Parliament goes into recess for the summer.
He thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership, support and the courage it took to appoint a frontline doctor to undertake a fundamental review of the future direction of the NHS.
"I am deeply grateful to him for having given me the privilege of serving as a Government minister and for giving me the freedom to make tough but important decisions."
"Raising the quality of patient care has driven and inspired me throughout my career – as a surgeon and as a minister. Making quality the organising principle of the NHS has revitalised professional pride, created great appetite for improvement, and built enormous momentum. This movement for change is now embedded across the NHS and will continue for many years to come."
Darzi's maxim always has been quality for the NHS, and both the Conservative party and the Liberal Democrats have said his departure is a huge blow for the Labour government, as it follows a succession of resignations in recent weeks.
Newly appointed health Secretary Andy Burnham paid tribute to the contribution made by Darzi as minister, and emphasised that he would retain an advisory role.
He added: "The Next Stage Review has set a defining vision for the National Health Service for years to come, embedding quality at the heart of everything it does, and engaging thousands of staff and patients along the way. This vision is now being delivered locally, by front line staff, who will continue to develop and deliver the changes set out in the Next Stage Review in the years ahead.
"I am delighted that Ara will remain part of this process through his new advisory role and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him in the future."
On the day of his resignation, carrying out his final task as minister, Darzi spoke at the launch of the government's 'Blueprint' – an action plan to put innovation at the heart of the NHS and help support the UK life sciences sector.
Related stories:
Blueprint to fast track innovative drugs and devices
July 14, 2009
http://www.pharmafocus.com/cda/focusH/1,2109,21-0-0-MAR_2009-focus_news_… “> Darzi plans for a faster NICE process
March 03, 2009
A faster NICE and a 'right' to drug access in NHS Constitution
July 01, 2008
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