Parliamentary Health Select Committee

Parliamentary Health Select Committee
Name	Parliamentary Health Select Committee
Legislature	Parliament of the United Kingdom
Established	1979
Chamber	House of Commons of the United Kingdom
Jurisdiction	United Kingdom
Chair	Chair
Members	11–15
Meeting place	Palace of Westminster

Parliamentary Health Select Committee is a permanent body of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom charged with scrutiny of health-related matters in the United Kingdom. It examines the work of the Department of Health and Social Care, investigates public health crises, and reports to Parliament of the United Kingdom on health policy, commissioning, and delivery. The committee conducts inquiries, summons witnesses, and publishes findings that influence debates in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, decisions by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom and actions by agencies such as NHS England, Public Health England, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

History

The committee traces its origins to the expansion of departmental scrutiny after the reorganization of select committees in 1979 under the House of Commons of the United Kingdom framework influenced by precedents set by the Griffiths Report and cross-party calls following events such as the Chernobyl disaster and public inquiries like the Thalidomide scandal. Its remit evolved through reforms associated with the House of Commons Modernisation Committee and statutory changes that followed reports from bodies such as the Wright Committee. Major structural milestones include reconstitution after the General election, 2010 and adaptations in response to crises including the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom and the BSE crisis.

Mandate and Powers

The committee derives authority from standing orders of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and exercises powers similar to other departmental select committees established since the reforms promoted by the Wright Committee. It has the power to invite ministers from the Department of Health and Social Care, summon senior executives from NHS England, call officials from Public Health England, and require testimony from leaders of bodies like the Care Quality Commission. The committee can publish reports that shape policy deliberations in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, prompt ministerial statements to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom and affect statutory agencies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Membership and Composition

Membership is drawn from elected MPs across parties represented in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, appointed in line with party balance determined by the Committee of Selection (House of Commons). Chairs have included MPs with backgrounds linked to constituencies in areas served by major trusts such as Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust. The committee frequently co-opts experts from institutions such as King's College London, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics, and advisory input from bodies like the Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of General Practitioners, and Royal College of Nursing. Membership rotates with changes after events like the General election, 2015 and General election, 2019.

Functions and Activities

The committee conducts inquiries into subjects ranging from commissioning and finance at NHS England to regulation by the Care Quality Commission and guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It holds oral evidence sessions with ministers from the Department of Health and Social Care, chief executives from NHS England, chairs of the Care Quality Commission, and researchers from Imperial College London and University College London. The committee uses written evidence from charities such as Cancer Research UK, British Red Cross, and Marie Curie (charity), and formats hearings generative of media coverage in outlets like the BBC, The Guardian, and the Financial Times. It frequently liaises with international counterparts including the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.

Notable Inquiries and Reports

High-profile inquiries include investigations into the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, the management of hospital closures connected to the NHS reorganization, the handling of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry, and scrutiny of the Meningitis outbreak responses. Reports addressing the role of NHS trusts in elective surgery backlogs, the regulation of pharmaceuticals overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and mental health provision with input from Mind (charity) have attracted attention. The committee's recommendations have prompted ministerial responses, influenced debates in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, and have been cited in judicial reviews involving bodies such as the Care Quality Commission.

Impact and Criticism

The committee has influenced policy shifts at the Department of Health and Social Care and operational changes at NHS England through recommendations on workforce planning, funding, and patient safety, citing evidence from institutions like Health Education England and the National Health Service (NHS). Critics argue that its influence is constrained by political polarization in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom and limited enforcement powers against executive agencies including the Care Quality Commission and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Academic commentators from London School of Economics and King's College London have debated whether select committee reports lead to sustained reform, noting instances where ministers implemented recommendations after pressure from media outlets such as The Daily Telegraph and The Times. Supporters point to successful interventions arising from inquiries into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry and pandemic scrutiny that shaped policy at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Category:Select Committees of the House of Commons Category:Health in the United Kingdom