Ann Keen has been confirmed as the health department’s ministerial team member responsible for dentistry, replacing Rosie Winterton.
Ms Keen, the MP for Brentford and Isleworth, joined the health department last month as parliamentary under secretary of state for health services. Prior to this, she was parliamentary private secretary to Gordon Brown at the Treasury and parliamentary private secretary for Frank Dobson at the health department.
She has a background in nursing, both as a tutor nurse and district nurse, and was the general secretary of the Community and District Nursing Association (CDNA).
As well as dentistry falling into her remit, she will also be responsible for fluoridation, patient safety including cleaner hospitals, optical chronic diseases, cancer and cardiac services, diabetes, workforce (employment models and contracts, education and careers, pay, nursing policy and people strategy), children’s health services and maternity.
The other members of the Department of Health’s ministerial team are: Alan Johnson (secretary of state for health), Ben Bradshaw (minister of state for health services), Dawn Primarolo (minister of state for public health), Ivan Lewis (parliamentary under secretary of state for care services) and Lord Ara Darzi (parliamentary under secretary of state).
