Health minister Victoria Atkins

Background on Health Minister Victoria Atkins

Victoria Atkins is the current Health Minister of the United Kingdom, serving under Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She was appointed to this position in September 2021, succeeding Sajid Javid. Before her current role, Atkins served in various government positions, including Minister for Safeguarding and Vulnerability, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Women, Equalities and Early Years.

Atkins is a member of the Conservative Party and has been the Member of Parliament for Louth and Horncastle since 2015. Prior to her political career, Atkins worked as a criminal barrister and was a member of the Criminal Bar Association. She is committed to improving healthcare services in the UK, particularly in the areas of mental health, addiction, and obesity, and has spoken publicly about her own struggles with addiction.

Atkins' Priorities as Health Minister

Since her appointment as Health Minister, Victoria Atkins has focused on improving healthcare outcomes and access for all UK citizens. In particular, she has prioritized mental health, and has committed to increasing funding for mental health services across the country. She has also emphasized the importance of early intervention in mental health and has vowed to improve mental health services for children and young people.

Atkins is also passionate about tackling obesity and improving public health. She has supported initiatives such as the sugar tax and has called for more action to be taken to encourage healthy eating and lifestyles. Additionally, she is dedicated to improving addiction services, drawing on her own experiences with addiction to raise awareness of this issue and promote more effective treatment options.