First Minister and previous Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf today unveiled his new cabinet creating a broadened role of Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.

Michael Matheson, who has most recently served as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport since 2018, is set to take over the health and care portfolio.

Mr Yousaf’s appointments to cabinet include a record number of women and five members under the age of 40. In his announcement, the First Minister said he expects to deliver “a radical, progressive agenda” for the people of Scotland:

“Our immediate priority will be to tackle the cost-of-living crisis to make sure we continue to invest in our public services to progress our wellbeing economy and that is going to be the team that’s going to help me deliver on that.

“We’ve got a number of new faces, some real energy and also a mix of experience as well in that cabinet that I hope to lead.”

A long-serving government minister, Mr Matheson has previously served in roles including Public Health Minister as well as Cabinet Secretary for Justice and, until today, Net Zero, Energy and Transport.

Mr Matheson has been an MSP since the reestablishment of the Scottish parliament in 1999.

Before becoming a minister, Mr Matheson was a member of the Scottish parliament’s Health and Sport Committee between June 2007 and March 2011 and was involved in the Alzheimer’s disease Cross-Party Group.

Mr Matheson was Public Health Minister for three years, serving first under Nicola Sturgeon and then Alex Neil as Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.

He has been an MSP for Falkirk West since 2007 and was formerly a regional MSP for Central Scotland between 1999 and 2007. Prior to his election to Holyrood in 1999, Michael Matheson worked as a community occupational therapist for Stirling and Highland councils.

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader and health spokesperson, Jackie Baillie issued a statement as the final words of the announcement were being made. Ms Baillie said:

“At the heart of this continuity government are some of the most incompetent politicians of the last decade, set to deliver more of the same failure.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy, said today’s cabinet appointments, including Mr Matheson, have been “found sorely wanting in previous ministerial roles”, adding:

“In a rare display of self-awareness, Humza Yousaf appears to have recognised his own abject failure as health secretary by adding ‘NHS Recovery’ to that brief.”

Mr Matheson’s last Written Questions lodged to parliament – more than a decade ago – focus on the cervical screening programme and the Penrose Inquiry into Hepatitis C/HIV acquired infection from NHS treatment.

Detailed responsibilities for the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care role are yet to be added. 

BMA Scotland’s Chair, Dr Iain Kennedy has said “urgent action” is needed to improve doctors pay and avoid Scottish junior doctors strike:

“The Health Secretary has just over five weeks to come to the table to engage in meaningful and formal negotiations over full pay restoration for junior doctors if he wants to avoid strike action within his first couple of months on the job.”

New Deputy First Minister Shona Robinson will also be Scotland’s Finance Secretary and work with Mr Matheson on junior doctors pay negotiations. 

In his time as Health and Social Care Secretary, Humza Yousaf repeatedly returned to pay negotiations for NHS Agenda for Pay staff, avoiding strike action.

Ms Robinson confirmed to BBC Scotland that junior doctor pay negotiations is a key priority to discuss with Michael Matheson, while balancing Scotland's budget.

Previous Drugs Policy Minister, Angela Constance will be the new Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, while Shirley-Anne Somerville will be the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.

Ms Constance previously oversaw the government's National Mission to reduce drug deaths, including increasing residential rehabilitation funding earlier this month.

Full list of cabinet appointments:

• Shona Robison, new Deputy First Minister, will take on the Finance portfolio, including responsibility for the Scottish Budget.
• Michael Matheson becomes the Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care.
• Jenny Gilruth joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
• Màiri McAllan joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition.
• Neil Gray joins Cabinet for the first time as Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy.
• Mairi Gougeon remains Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands.
• Angus Robertson remains Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.
• Shirley-Anne Somerville becomes Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.
• Angela Constance returns to Cabinet as the new Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs.

Read more: Hospice chiefs: “Let’s discuss fair funding”; Scots women at the forefront of medical sciences; Auditor General: Difficult choices for Scotland's NHS; Scotland prioritises neuro-inclusion, says government

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox and you can follow healthandcare.scot on Google News.