The former Chief Medical Officer for Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority, Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen, says the appointment of Simeon Brown as Health Minister is a politically motivated move by National, and Brown faces an incredibly steep learning curve.
Following a cabinet reshuffle on Sunday, Dr Shane Reti has been replaced as Health Minister by Simeon Brown.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the Government’s intent to “turbocharge change” in the Ministry of Health, describing Brown as the right person to deliver “ruthless execution” in the health sector.
Dr McKree Jansen says having a minister from outside the health sector is not inherently problematic but emphasizes that the complexity of issues such as hospitals, primary care, and medicine presents immense and daunting challenges.
“It’s an incredibly complex kaupapa, and the portfolio is huge, and the demands are urgent. So that’s a pretty challenging portfolio for Simeon Brown to take on,” says McKree Jansen.
The ministerial change takes effect on the 24 January.
