Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran has been elected to chair the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC).

The MP for Oxford West and Abingdon was unopposed for the role, which she will assume once other members of the committee have been appointed.

Ms Moran, who is the Lib Dems spokesperson for foreign affairs and international development; as well as for science, innovation and technology, became the first MP of Palestinian descent when she was elected in 2017.

When Israel invaded Gaza last year, she spoke out in the media about the need for an immediate ceasefire, as her own family had to flee.

The cross-party health select committee has a remit to ‘scrutinise the work of the Department of Health and Social Care and its associated public bodies’.

Earlier this year, HSCC ran an inquiry into the pharmacy sector. It then published a report which recommended ‘urgent’ reform of the way pharmacies are funded.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Moran said she will ‘constructively challenge ministers and the department to deliver’.

‘With millions stuck on waiting lists, doctors and nurses overstretched, and far too many elderly people trapped in hospitals without a care plan, the role of the committee as a critical friend of the government as it tackles these challenges has never been more important,’ she said.

‘From social care to dentistry, and waiting lists to the workforce crisis, it has never been more pressing to find common ground across the political spectrum and I look forward to running a committee that champions the voice of patients and front line health and social care staff.’

The health committee chair position was awarded to the Liberal Democrats via the allocation of committee chairs to political parties which was agreed by the House of Commons in July. Chairs are elected by the whole house ‘by a system of alternative vote and by secret ballot’.

The most recent MP to hold the post was former pharmacy minister Steve Brine. Other recent chairs have included former health secretary Jeremy Hunt; and Devon GP and former MP Dr Sarah Wollaston, who defected the Tories and is now a Liberal Democrat.

A version of this story first appeared on our sister title Pulse.

Picture credit: House of Commons