Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care (Scotland)
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport | |
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![]() Logo of the Scottish Government | |
since 21 November 2014 | |
Appointer | First Minister |
Website | www.scotland.gov.uk |
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, commonly referred to as the Health Secretary, is a cabinet position in the Scottish Government. The Cabinet Secretary is responsible for the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates and NHS Scotland. The Cabinet Secretary is assisted by the Minister for Public Health and Sport and the Minister for Mental Health.
The current Cabinet Secretary is Shona Robison, who was appointed in November 2014.
History
The position was created in 1999 as the Minister for Health and Community Care, with the advent of devolution and the institution of the Scottish Parliament, taking over some of the roles and functions of the former Scottish Office that existed prior to 1999. After the 2007 election the Ministerial position was renamed to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. After the 2011 election the full Ministerial title was Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and Cities Strategy with the portfolio being expanded to include Cities Strategy which was part of the SNP manifesto to have a dedicated "Minister for Cities"; at the same time the responsibility for housing was removed and transferred to the new Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment. Responsibilities for the cities strategy and the delivery of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow were later transferred to other members of the cabinet.[1] After the 2016 election, the name of the post was changed to simply Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport.
Overview
Responsibilities
As of May 2016[update], the responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary include:[2]
NHS, Elective centres, Health care and social integration, Carers, Adult care and support, Implementing 2020 Vision and National Clinical Strategy, Patient services, NHS staff and pay, Problem alcohol use and recovery, Healthy working lives, National service planning, NHS performance, Acute services, Sporting events and legacy, Patient safety, Quality strategy, Public health, Health protection, Sport and physical activity, Primary care, Mental health, Allied healthcare services, Dentistry, Sexual health, medical records, Health improvement, Drugs policy, Child and maternal health.
Public bodies
The following public bodies report to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport:
- NHS Scotland
- Care Inspectorate
- Scottish Social Services Council
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Sportscotland
List of office holders
References
- ^ "Cabinet and Ministers: biography and responsibilities". Scottish Government. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ "People: Cabinet & Ministers :Health and Sport". Scottish Government. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
External links
- Cabinet Secretary on Scottish Government website
- NHS Scotland website