Liberal Democrats to lead health select committee as Parliament resumes post-election 2024

Parliament has announced that a Liberal Democrat MP will be elected to chair the Health and Social Care Committee by September 11

The UK Parliament is preparing for a significant reshuffling of select committee Chairs, a process that will shape the direction of parliamentary oversight for the coming term.

The temporary hiatus after May 30 due to the general election on 4 July 2024, will resume as a Liberal Democrat MP will serve as the next chair of the health and social care committee (HSCC).

Among the most critical positions up for election is the Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, which has been allocated to the Liberal Democrats.

As votes are casted to select an MP and the parliamentary landscape settles, attention is turning to what this means for the future of health policy in the UK.

Liberal Dems manifesto, released during the general election that took place in July, outlined a vision for a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system, with a focus on enhancing accessibility and patient rights.

Central to their health agenda during their election campaign was the expansion of the Pharmacy First initiative.

This proposal aims to redirect routine healthcare services to pharmacies, thereby easing the strain on general practitioners (GPs) and making healthcare more accessible to the public.

The Liberal Democrats also committed to guaranteeing that everyone will have the right to see a GP within seven days, or within 24 hours in urgent cases.

This pledge is underpinned by a promise to recruit an additional 8,000 GPs.

Their plans also extended to dental care, with a vow to eliminate “dental deserts” and ensure that NHS dental services are available to all who need them, particularly in urgent situations.

The Speaker of the House, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, has set out the timetable for the election of chairs of select committees following the General Election.

"Since 2010, most committee chairs have been elected by the whole House by secret ballot using the alternative vote system, where MPs rank candidates in order of preference," the announcement stated.

The period for nominations will run until 4pm on Monday, 9 September, with the ballot scheduled for Wednesday, 11 September.

As the Health and Social Care Select Committee prepares for its new leadership, there is considerable anticipation regarding how these commitments will translate into action.

Moreover, the committee’s role will be crucial in scrutinising government policies and holding ministers to account.