Sydney-based Liberal MP Brad Hazzard has been named as the NSW Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research following the forced retirement of Jillian Skinner.

Mrs Skinner, who held the shadow health ministry for 14 years before being appointed minister following the Coalition's victory in 2011, chose to retire from politics after learning she would be removed from the health portfolio in new Premier Gladys Berejiklian's cabinet reshuffle.