What challenges await the new health secretary?

Yvette Cooper leaves Number 10. Yui Mok/PA Wire

By Adele Waters and PA Media

Within hours of taking office as the UK’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham announced Yvette Cooper — a seasoned Labour Party heavyweight — as his new health secretary. What will that mean for doctors and the NHS?

Why is there a new health secretary?

Andy Burnham has just taken office as the UK prime minister, following Sir Keir Starmer stepping down last month. As the new leader of the Labour party, Burnham put in place his first cabinet on the day he entered Downing Street.

As the new secretary of state for health and social care, Cooper replaces James Murray, who lasted just 67 days in the role. He had replaced Wes Streeting who resigned from the post in May after almost two years.

What experience does Cooper bring?

Cooper arrives at 39 Victoria Street, the London headquarters of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), almost three decades after serving as a junior health minister between 1999 and 2002.