What was your highlight of 2025?
Preparing for the recent Health and Social Care Committee gave me a moment to step back and see how much the department has achieved over the past year.
From bringing the 10 Year Health Plan to life after the biggest conversation the nation has ever had about health and care, to expanding digital access – with tens of millions now using the NHS App to book appointments and manage their care – the progress has been clear.
We also published England’s first-ever Men’s Health Strategy, tackling the crisis in men’s physical and mental health and reducing inequalities. Alongside this, we took action to improve children’s health by stopping retailers from selling energy drinks to children and committed £500m to the first-ever Fair Pay Agreement to boost pay for adult social care workers in England.
Taken together, it’s a powerful reminder of the impact our teams have made across the country.
What was the hardest part of being a leader in 2025?
The hardest part has been leading in a year of sustained pressure and uncertainty, while asking a lot of our people. This was especially true as we set out plans to abolish NHS England and reduce staffing across NHS England and DHSC by up to 50% – big changes that affect the system and the people who work in it.
I am deeply grateful to our leaders and teams for their commitment during a challenging year, and we know that in 2026 we need to go further in how we support our people and lead through change.
What are the main challenges facing your department in the coming year?
The main challenge for 2026 is pushing ahead with delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan and accelerating the pace of change already underway. This includes continuing to improve productivity across health and care services – making better use of our workforce, data and technology so that services deliver more value and better outcomes for patients and the public.
A central focus is shifting more care into neighbourhoods and supporting citizens to stay well and manage their own health. Working closely with local partners, the NHS, local government and communities will be essential to making this happen.
Which celebrity or historical figure would you choose to turn on the Christmas lights in your town – and why?
I’d choose Nye Bevan. As the founder of the NHS, he represents the values of public service, fairness, and working together that guide our work today. It would be a fitting reminder, especially at Christmas, of what can be achieved when we focus on the common good.
Read all the entries to this year's perm secs round up here