Members of the website Doctors.net.uk, all of whom are GMC-registered doctors, have been surveyed on their opinions on the current Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
In July 2018 Matt Hancock replaced Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care following Jeremy Hunt’s promotion to Foreign Secretary.
When Mr Hancock was appointed, members of Doctors.net.uk were asked: "Do you welcome the appointment of Matt Hancock as Secretary of State for health and Social Care?" 71% were unsure about Mr Hancock’s appointment, 15% welcomed the change, and 14% did not welcome him into the role.
After three months in the post, members were asked to comment on how confident they were in Matt Hancock and if they thought he understands the risks currently facing health and social care. Only 5% of those surveyed were either very confident or somewhat confident in Matt Hancock.
18% were dubious about his understanding of the risks and 11% thought it might be too early to say.
However, 66% of members were not confident at all that Matt Hancock, the Secretary for Health and Social Care, understands the risks currently facing health and social care.
The Doctors.net.uk medical team commented: "At a time when NHS organisations are reporting increasing primary care and hospital demand, failure to comply with operational targets, financial difficulties and challenges with recruitment and retention of staff, we move into winter and to Brexit. The need for clear leadership and direction for one of the UK’s most valued assets has probably never been greater. These statistics from a small but significant sample of doctors should ring alarm bells amongst our politicians and the general public.”
Image courtesy Gov.UK
