The Rt Hon Frank Dobson MP was appointed Secretary of State for Health on May 3, 1997 and continued in that office until the appointment of Alan Milburn in 1999 when Frank Dobson became the unsuccessful Labour candidate for Mayor of London.

Frank Dobson, born 15 March 1940, was Shadow Health Minister 1982-87; Shadow leader, House of Commons and Campaigns Co-ordinator 1987-89. He was Opposition Front Bench Spokesman on Education 1982-83; principal Opposition Front Bench Spokesman on Energy 1989-92, Employment 1992-93, Transport and London 1993-4, Environment and London 1994-97. He also served on the House of Commons Services Committee.  He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since May 1979. He was educated at Dunnington County Primary School; Archbishop Holgate’s Grammar School, York and London School of Economics. He has been a Governor of the London School of Economics since 1986. 

Before entering national politics, Frank Dobson worked at the Headquarters of the Central Electricity Generating Board 1962-70, Electricity Council 1970-75 and was Assistant Secretary, Office of Local Ombudsman 1975-79. He was a Camden Borough Councillor 1975-79 and leader of the council 1973-75.  He lives in London, is married and has one daughter and two sons.