New Prime Minister, Liz Truss, recently named Thérèse Coffey as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

But who is the MP set to take on one of the most-challenging positions in government?

Coffey, appointed as part of Truss’s first Cabinet reshuffle, replaces Steve Barclay, who was appointed in early July by former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, serving in the role for just two months.

Prior to Barclay, it was Sajid Javid who held the position before he resigned, saying he ‘can no longer continue in good conscience’ in a bitter attack on the Prime Minister after it was revealed Johnson was aware of groping allegations made against deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher, despite having previously denied all knowledge.

Coffey previously served as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions from 2019-2022 and has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suffolk Coastal since 2010.

She has also served as Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between July and September 2019 and was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from July 2016 to July 2019.

And she was Deputy Leader of the House of Common from May 2015 to July 2016.

As well as her new role as Health and Social Care Secretary, Coffey will serve as Deputy Prime Minister.

Since taking office in 2010, she has campaigned to stop of A14 toll, improve the NHS experience for patients, and for better broadband.

Commenting on her latest role, she said her priorities were Ms Coffey, who has also been appointed as deputy prime minister, said her top priorities are ‘A, B, C, D - Ambulances, backlogs, care, D – doctors and dentists’.

Asked whether she is ready for strikes, she added: “I think we’ve got to be ready for patients and that’s my top priority, and how we can make best use of our department and of course the NHS in order to achieve the best outcomes for them.”

And, in a message to potentially-demoralised NHS staff, she recognised ‘they’ve done excellent work’.

More details of her plans are expected over the coming months.

Outside of politics, Coffey worked for the international company, Mars. She has also worked at the BBC.

In her spare time, she enjoys watching football, gardening, and music, especially Muse, and is a member of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).