Prime Minister Tony Blair MP; Gordon Brown MP Chancellor & Rt.Hon. Patricia Hewitt MP Health Minister. The Two Men & a Woman who could sort out: The NHS??? Role of the department

The Department of Health (DH) aims to improve people's health and wellbeing through its strategic responsibility and accountability for the health and social care system in England.

The DH does not directly run the National Health Service, manage individual hospitals or directly employ doctors, nurses or dentists. Rather it sets the national standards for patient care and regulates health provision. The Healthcare Commission inspects health services. When problems occur, the Department intervenes to put things right.

The DH also sets priorities and targets, including those for improving cancer and heart disease treatment and reducing hospital appointment waiting times. It works to improve public health, for example by reducing smoking, and stopping alcohol and drug abuse. It also seeks to improve mental health and the care of those with mental illness.

Social services are the responsibility of individual local authorities, which also employ social workers. But the Department sets the strategic direction for children's care services, such as adoption and fostering, and services for elderly people, including old people's homes.

Regulation is now the responsibility of the National Care Standards Commission. The Department also provides specialist guidance to health practitioners and social workers, and supports research to improve the quality of health and social services.

Ministers

The Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP

Secretary of State for Health

The Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt; has overall responsibility for the work of the Department, including overall strategic responsibility for NHS improvement, delivery and reform, finance and resources.

John Hutton MP

Minister of State for Health

John Hutton is responsible for NHS workforce issues including:

• pay,
• NHS performance and access,
• capacity expansion,
• primary care,
• NHS information technology.

Rosie Winterton MP

Minister of State

Rosie Winterton responsibilities cover:

• emergency care including A&E and ambulance services,
• NHS Direct,
• adult mental health services,
• clinical negligence,
• patient and public involvement,
• diabetes services,
• transplants and organ donation,
• dentistry and pharmacy issues.

Lord Warner of Brockley

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Lords

Lord Warner of Brockley's responsibilities include:

• Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection and the NHS performance ratings,
• quality and clinical governance,
• National Institute for Clinical Excellence,
• pharmaceutical industry issues,
• genetics and biotechnology,
• departmental agencies and Research and Development .

Melanie Johnson MP

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health

Melanie Johnson responsibilities include:

• cover cancer,
• coronary heart disease,
• tobacco policy,
• communicable diseases,
• immunisation,
• health inequalities,
• drug and alcohol misuse,
• sexual health issues,
• food safety and Food Standards Agency.

Stephen Ladyman MP

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Care

Stephen Ladyman responsibilities cover:

• adult social services,
• older people's services,
• policy on carers,
• children's health services,
• services for disabled people,
• autism, and
• long-term medical conditions.

Contact department

If you have any comments or enquiries about the Department please contact the Public Enquiry Office.

• Tel: 0207 210 4850 (line open from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday).
• Minicom: 0207 210 5025.
• Email at [email protected]

Write to the DH, or one of their Ministers, at the address below.
The Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NS