Farnham and Bordon MP Gregory Stafford and neighbouring East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds have been appointed to senior roles in the Conservatives’ health team.

Mr Stafford has been named Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, while Mr Hinds has been appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care as part of Kemi Badenoch’s frontbench reshuffle.

The appointments will see the two neighbouring MPs work together, scrutinising the Government over the NHS and social care and helping to develop Conservative policy.

Mr Stafford’s appointment follows his previous career in the NHS, his experience on the Health and Social Care Select Committee and his campaigning on healthcare issues since entering Parliament.

Mr Stafford said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care. It is a huge honour and a responsibility that I take very seriously.

“But my first responsibility will always be to the people of Farnham, Bordon, Haslemere, Liphook and our surrounding villages. This new role does nothing to change that. In fact, it gives me an even stronger platform to make sure the voices and concerns of our communities are heard in Parliament and directly by Ministers.

“I will continue fighting for the local services our communities need, while using this new role to bring the experience and concerns of Farnham and Bordon into the heart of the national debate about the future of health and social care.

“I am also particularly pleased to be working alongside my constituency neighbour Damian Hinds, who has been appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. I am looking forward to working with Damian and the rest of the team as we hold the Government to account and set out a serious alternative for the future of our health service.”

Mr Hinds, who has represented East Hampshire since 2010, will lead the Conservative health team in his new role.

The former education secretary has previously held a number of senior government and frontbench positions and will now lead the Conservatives’ response to the Government’s policies on the NHS and social care.

Mr Hinds said: “Health and social care are hugely important to everyone. These truly are vital services of the highest order.

“I’m really excited to be rejoining the Shadow Front Bench in this role and look forward to meeting and listening to professionals and patients as I get into my new brief. Over the years I’ve benefitted a great deal from learning from our local NHS and providers in and around East Hampshire.

“It’s also great working with Greg, who brings a lot of professional experience.

“As I have always sought to, I will work constructively and positively, while robustly scrutinising the decisions the Government takes and holding it to account for what it delivers - and what it doesn’t.

“Reforming social care is obviously high on the agenda. And there are multiple other current issues too that also affect us locally in Hampshire.”

Healthcare has been a prominent issue for Mr Stafford since his election, with the MP campaigning over services across his constituency.

He has recently been involved in efforts to secure investment in Haslemere Hospital and new patient transport services in Farnham, while continuing to press for a long-term solution to healthcare provision in Bordon.

Mr Stafford added: “Having worked in the NHS, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary dedication of the people who work in it, as well as the pressures facing patients and staff.

“But the Government cannot simply keep asking taxpayers for more money while patients are left waiting and fundamental problems remain unresolved. The NHS needs investment, but it also needs reform, greater productivity and a relentless focus on delivering better care.

“Good intentions, reviews and vague announcements are not enough. Patients deserve a health service that works, staff deserve the support they need and taxpayers deserve confidence that their money is being spent wisely.

“I look forward to taking that fight to the Government, while continuing to be a strong and effective voice for the people of the Farnham and Bordon constituency. This role gives me a greater opportunity to do both.”