Shona Robison reappointment ‘welcome continuity’ in health, says top doctor

Shona Robison’s reappointment as health secretary in Nicola Sturgeon’s cabinet reshuffle has been welcomed by BMA Scotland chair Peter Bennie.

The head of the doctor’s union in Scotland said she would bring “welcome continuity and experience” at a time when the health service was facing significant pressures.

Some commentators had speculated Robison may have been reshuffled to a different brief ahead of the announcement, with some tipping her to take over from Angela Constance in education.

However, Robison joined justice secretary Michael Matheson and culture secretary Fiona Hyslop in retaining their previous roles.

Sturgeon said: “Both Shona and Michael have an excellent track record of delivery in these areas and are the best people to oversee our record levels of investment in the NHS and the protection of the police budget.”

“Fiona Hyslop will continue her important work supporting Scotland’s creative and cultural industries as well as leading on the Scottish Government’s position on Europe,” she added.

Robison said she was “honoured” to retain responsibility for health and sport.

Bennie congratulated Robison. “There are significant pressures on Scotland’s NHS as demands on the health service increase far faster than available resources,” he said. “The decisions that are made now on the shape of the NHS will have lasting implications for decades to come.

“By remaining as Health Secretary, Shona Robison brings welcome continuity and experience to the role that will stand her in good stead for the challenges that lie ahead.”