In an unexpected statement made earlier this morning, too late for the Sunday newspapers, the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, announced that she was stepping down from office for personal reasons.

After the usual exchange of letters, the Prime Minister said:
I know that all who have worked in the NHS will be grateful to Patricia Hewitt for the sterling service she has provided. Most of all, countless users of the NHS will appreciate the a number of health care improvements for which she has been responsible. She leaves the NHS in a stronger state than it has ever been.
Her successor has still not been named, but an announcement is expected from Downing Street later in the day. Posted by: Dr John Crippen    Source

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