An Oxford MP has bemoaned the lack of available GP appointments and NHS dentist places in her first speech in the House of Commons as chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee.

Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, spoke about the crisis facing primary care in parliament. 

The Lib Dems, in their first opposition day in 15 years, called the debate urging ministers to tackle the NHS crisis by improving access to GPs, NHS dentists and community pharmacists.

New statistics, commissioned by the Lib Dems, revealed one in four Brits have been unable to work because they couldn’t get an NHS appointment.

The poll indicated that 45 per cent of the population have been unable to book a GP or dentist appointment.

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Ms Moran raised concerns from local residents in Oxfordshire who struggle to book a GP appointment.

She also raised concerns about GP retention, noting that the Royal College of General Practitioners found that over 40 per cent of GPs might leave within the next five years, with stress being a key factor.

The MP called on the government to implement the recommendations of the committee’s 2022 report on the future of general practice which include addressing workforce issues through recruitment and retention, digitising services, improving prevention and restoring continuity of care in GP services.

In her speech she said: "The challenges facing the NHS are no secret. In my new role as chair of the select committee, I have begun to meet key stakeholders. The list of things that we need to consider is enormous.

"I pay credit to those who stood for the committee, and welcome those who made it on. I understand that Conservative members have been chosen, but I do not yet know who they are—I ask them to forgive me if they are here. I look forward to cracking on.”

Speaking afterwards Ms Moran said: “I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak in this debate on Primary Care.

"GPs, pharmacists, nurses and dentists are the people you speak to when you’re worried about something, not sure where to go for help, and looking for reassurance. They are the frontline of the NHS, and they deliver vital care to millions of people every day.

“But the system is overstretched and underfunded and far too many patients and staff are being let down. We are seeing staff shortages, patient dissatisfaction, a lack of capital investment, and the increasing impact of these pressures on the wider NHS. 

“Without a functioning general practice system, the entire healthcare ecosystem suffers. We owe it to patients and staff to solve this.”