Stephen Kinnock Given Dentistry Role
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- Published: Tuesday, 16 July 2024 09:27
- Written by Guy Tuggle
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Following the publication last week of the team that will comprise Keir Starmer‘s Department of Health & Social Care, the individual ministerial responsibilities have now been assigned. Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock will be overseeing ‘primary care‘ which comprises the GP service, pharmacy, eye care and dentistry.
Kinnock will report to Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.
Kinnock’s other responsibilities include adult social care including workforce, funding and continuing healthcare. Dementia, hospital and community discharge, health and social care integration, community care and disabilities and SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) complete his wide-ranging brief.
Mr Kinnock has an unenviable in-tray. All the services that fall within his remit are either severely stretched or failing outright. The only variable is the degree to which they fall short of delivering acceptable outcomes and meeting public expectations.
None offers an ’easy fix’ and all have claims for significant additional funding.
Congratulating Mr Kinnock on his appointment, the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice Committee Chair Shawn Charlwood posted on ’X’ (formerly Twitter) that the BDA "stands ready to work with you at pace to end the access crisis millions now face, and make this service fit for the future".
Who Is Stephen Kinnock?
Stephen Kinnock is a Welsh Labour MP. He represents Aberafan Maesteg and is the son of Lord Kinnock who, as Neil Kinnock, led the Labour Party through nine difficult years following the Party’s crushing defeat in the general election of 1983.
Mr Kinnock was first elected to Parliament at the 2015 general election. He had previously worked at the European Parliament and the British Council.
Married with two children, Mr Kinnock’s wife Helle Thorning-Schmidt was Prime Minister of Denmark 2011 -15.
Mr Kinnock is a keen football player which bodes well for his relationship with Eddie Crouch, Chair of the BDA. Their conversations may span more than the minutiae of dental contract reforms.
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