Theresa May's new Government: Ludlow MP Philip Dunne 'excited' by ministerial appointment

Mr Dunne has retained a role in government following what has been called a "ruthless reshuffle" by Mrs May following her appointment as Prime Minster last week.

Mr Dunne is to take up a new role as Minister of State for the Department of Health, meaning Shropshire will have its own MP working closely with Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt at a time when health services across the county are facing major changes and uncertainty.

Mr Hunt kept his role as Health Secretary in May's new cabinet when many others, including Chancellor George Osborne and Justice Secretary Michael Gove, lost theirs.

Mr Dunne was promoted to Minister of State for Defence Procurement at the Ministry of Defence by David Cameron in 2015, having previously served in a lesser ministerial role.

Tweeting on Saturday, Mr Dunne said: "Have been proud to work with outstanding people in defence these past four years.

"Excited now to accept PM's appointment as Minister of State in the Department of Health."

This morning he tweeted:

Councillors in Mr Dunne's constituency of Ludlow welcomed the appointment, saying it was a chance to champion health services in rural county towns like Ludlow.

Tracey Huffer, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow East and herself a nurse at Ludlow's Station Drive surgery, said: "I'd like to congratulate Philip on his appointment as Health Minister.

"As an MP representing a rural area, he has a detailed knowledge of how difficult it is to maintain and improve health services outside of urban centres. "His appointment is an opportunity to give a voice to rural areas.

"He has a chance to speak out loudly for isolated communities and market towns like Ludlow, whose residents often have to travel a long way to access routine and specialist health services.

"I hope that Philip will be able to use his new influence to ensure that lessons are learnt from the NHS Future Fit debacle.

"It would be better still if he and his colleagues at the Department of Health gave clear guidance on the necessity for A&E and urgent care services in rural counties like ours. This will need to be backed up with money for rural health services.

"Philip's appointment is a great opportunity for rural areas and for counties like Shropshire. He has the experience to rise to the challenge and represent the health needs of rural England. I hope he doesn't get distracted by other Westminster priorities."

Mr Dunne initially supported then-Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb in the Tory leadership contest, but supported May in the second round after Crabb withdrew from the race.