Last night was the DoH summer reception.
It is one of two parties the DoH throws each year for journalists at its Richmond House base in Whitehall.
It's usually a slightly bizarre variation on the traditional ‘fireside chats' journalists have with ministers - with alcohol and a buffet thrown in.
Alan Johnson is the fourth health secretary I've known to host the event and it's been fascinating to watch them all in action.
Alan Milburn never seemed to have much time for the trade press but was surrounded by special advisors who did. During Milburn's reign it was not uncommon for journos to go salsa dancing post-party with advisers, health czars, press officers but sadly not Alan.
John Reid was down-to-earth and keen to sing the praises of the NHS at every opportunity.
Poor old Patsy Hewitt got nothing but a rotten press but would always earnestly explain the importance of turning around the NHS's finances despite the pain it was causing to anyone willing to bend an ear.
Last night current health secretary Alan Johnson was on fine form and cemented his reputation as a bit of a charmer.
He never attends these receptions for long but always makes his mark.
He's not one for one-to-ones and always seems to prefer playing to an audience.
An hour in he usually dashes in, claps his hands, calls for silence, gathers everyone around and performs. He doesn't quite have the charisma and charm you'd expect of a prime minister but you can't help but think he'd be more fun than poor old Gordon Brown.
Highlights from last night's routine included failing to recognise soprano Lesley Garrett backstage at an awards do and instead asking her how long she'd worked for the NHS.
Those with diary pieces to write would have plenty of material from last night's do, he insisted.
Yesterday was of course the day when the DoH threatened to get tough with the drinks industry and, true to form, there it was serving up red and white wine for the assembled hacks.
‘And tomorrow, of course, I'll be talking about obesity,' lamented the health secretary, pointing at the tables of buffet food available for the schmoozing journos.
One of the biggest laughs of the evening was the result of a little gentle ribbing of his colleagues.
Paying tribute to each of his health team by turn, he described health minister Ben Bradshaw as being sent out on a ‘charm offensive' with the BMA.
‘Unfortunately Ben forgot the charm,' Mr Johnson added.
neil.durham@haymarket.com