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Jeremy Hunt remains as health secretary, despite previous reports
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16:46 In all of the excitement over Jeremy Hunt’s reappointment it has not quite been forgotten that Public Health England launched its latest campaign to encourage the public to go see their GP today.
Newspapers including the Telegraph reported on PHE’s warning that 1.7m Brits could be living with undiagnosed heart disease, lung cancer or lung disease.
The campaign urges people to attend their GP practice for an appointment if they have an ongoing cough or get our of breath more easily than they used to.
But, as reported by Pulse, GP leaders have come out to criticise the campaign, which they fear could cause practice overload.
14:55 The BMA has called on remaning health secretary Jeremy Hunt to get back to negotiating a contract deal that junior doctors can be happy with.
BMA chair Dr Mark Porter said: ‘We… still need to agree a contract for junior doctors in which they have confidence and I urge Mr Hunt to build on the progress that has been made so far to address outstanding issues and regain trust from junior doctors, who are the future of the profession.
‘We need a long term strategy that addresses the workload and funding challenges that are overwhelming the NHS.
‘Doctors want to see the secretary of state put the NHS on a sustainable footing for the future, address the serious funding shortfall and ensure we can recruit and retain the right number of doctors that our patients desperately need.’
14:25 Prince Harry has had an HIV test this morning and it was negative. How do we know that? Because the prince decided to broadcast the procedure live on the royal family’s Facebook page.
According to the Daily Mail, the fifth in line to the throne wanted to fight stigma of getting tested for the virus and to ‘show how easy it is’ to get tested.
The video showed Prince Harry’s test carried out using the new finger prick method, which gives a result within minutes.
12:45 After all that – Jeremy Hunt has been confirmed as staying on as health secretary.
12:15 Apparently Mr Hunt has just entered Number 10… after a whirlwind morning of is-he-or-isn’t-he retaining the health secretary job.
11:29 Rumours have been swirling that health secretary Jeremy Hunt has been ‘sacked’ by new PM Theresa May, but the latest info appears to be that he is being shuffled into another Cabinet post.
The BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg tweeted:
Hunt not sacked, getting a different job
— Laura Kuenssberg (@bbclaurak) July 14, 2016
10:50 A walk-in clinic in Brechin, Scotland, has closed at short notice because it has been unable to find GP cover. STV reports that the closure began today and is expected to last for July and August at least.
Professor Andrew Russell, medical director at NHS Tayside, said: ‘We are sorry that we have had to withdraw the walk-in clinics at short notice, however, despite the best efforts of staff, it has proved impossible to secure the GP cover needed.’
He said securing GP cover was particularly challenging over the holiday period but that local people would be able to be seen elsewhere.
‘We are working hard to put sustainable arrangements in place at Brechin Health Centre over the summer holidays, however, the open access clinics will be withdrawn for the remainder of July and August,’ he added.
09:40 Will he or won’t he? As new Prime Minister Theresa May continues with her Cabinet reshuffle today, Jeremy Hunt has said he ‘very much hopes’ to remain in the post. Read the story here.
Among those tipped as potential challengers for the role was Amber Rudd, the former energy secretary, but she has already been promoted to home secretary.
Other top jobs have gone to former London mayor and Brexit leader Boris Johnson, who was named foreign secretary, and Philip Hammond, the former foreign secretary who is now Chancellor.
According to the Mirror, part two of the reshuffle will begin at 11am.
