The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women's Health and Mental Health is a ministerial position within the Government of the United Kingdom, in charge of mental health and women's health policy.
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History
Following the general election in June 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Jackie Doyle-Price as the UK's first minister with responsibility for mental health. The portfolio was further expanded in October 2018, on World Mental Health Day, to include suicide prevention. This occurred while the UK government hosted the first ever global mental health summit.
In July 2019, Nadine Dorries was appointed to the position in the incoming Johnson ministry, with additional responsibility for patient safety. As minister, Dorries assumed responsibility for the government's response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people's mental health. The minister committed to an increase in government spending on mental health as a result of the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, the position was raised from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Minister of State.
During the cabinet reshuffle in September 2021, Gillian Keegan was appointed Minister of State for Care and Mental Health, a position which combined with the mental health and social care portfolios. In June 2022, the department published the Draft Mental Health Bill, stating the government's intention to modernise the existing Mental Health Act 1983.
In September 2022, the incoming Truss ministry divided the mental health and care portfolios and appointed Caroline Johnson to the former, with responsibility for mental health and public health. Dr Johnson's tenure was unusually short, due to the collapse of the government in the following month. In October 2022, Maria Caulfield was appointed and given responsibility for mental health and women's health in the Sunak ministry.
Responsibilities
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Mental Health and Women's Health Strategy leads on the following:
women’s health
maternity services
gender identity services
cosmetic regulation
DHSC litigation
mental health:
children and young people and early intervention
Mental Health Act
suicide prevention and crisis prevention
bereavement
disabilities, including autism
offender health
patient safety:
clinical negligence
historic inquiries
quality regulation
death certification
indemnity
Patient Safety Commissioner
Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme
patient experience:
ombudsman, complaints
whistleblowing, health ethics