James Morris MP has been appointed as the new minister for primary care and patient safety, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said.

The MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis announced his appointment as parliamentary under secretary of state in the department on Friday evening (8 July), while the DHSC confirmed to The Pharmacist today (11 July) that he will hold the primary care and patient safety portfolio as part of the role, including the community pharmacy brief.

He replaces Maria Caulfield MP, who had been in post since September 2021 and whose brief included pharmacy, after her appointment as minister of state for health and social care on Thursday (7 July).

Ms Caulfield's role change came as part of a reshuffle sparked by a spate of resignations from cabinet ministers last week, leading to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s resignation.

As part of his new role, Mr Morris will adopt responsibilities for primary care, community health, major diseases, patient safety, maternity care, inquiries, cosmetic regulation, gender identity services, blood transplants and organ donation, and fertility and embryology.

Mr Morris said on Twitter that he is ‘very honoured’ to hold the role and is looking ‘forward to working with’ new colleagues. He will leave his role as government whip.

He added: ‘In addition to my ministerial duties, I will continue to work hard for the people of Halesowen and Rowley Regis, working to support local people and businesses by delivering on my plan that I was elected on in 2019.’

Mr Morris has served as MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis in the west midlands since 2010. He also served as vice-chamberlain of the household (government whip) from 2021 to 2022.

This comes after Steve Barclay was named health and social care secretary, following Sajid Javid’s resignation, as part of the reshuffle last week.