In a climate of limited resources and changes to the fundamentals of NHS infrastructure, Jeremy Hunt's previously stated support for homeopathy sets a poor tone for the future. That there are already NHS Homeopathic Hospitals irks both me and many of my colleagues and that he thinks it legitimate for such monies to be diverted to what is essentially quackery suggests he fails to understand what it is that doctors prioritise.

Nonetheless, the article raises some key issues regarding the nature of the man. Andrew Lansley's inability to convince the various bodies of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals of the value of plans set out by government portrayed a Health Secretary out of touch with those of whom he was supposed to be in charge.

A penchant for cutting deals and a healthy distrust of regulation will be attractive to doctors. Watching the Care Quality Commission question colleagues over the most trivial minutiae is at times frustrating and the mountains of paperwork which doctors and moreover nurses are weighed down by mean that anybody who considers these things a problem rather than a solution is likely to be welcomed by doctors.

Healthy scepticism - he is a politician after all let alone his support for alternative medicine - seems the order of the day. Perhaps his charm and ability to make deals will win out but, unlike the homeopaths of whom he is so fond, doctors will wait for concrete results before making and stating their final judgements.

Competing interests: None declared