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NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard has unexpectedly stepped down from her role, following weeks of criticism from MPs.
Ms Pritchard said it had been “an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in its history”.
NHS England said that, having discussed everything with Health Secretary Wes Streeting in recent months – and now that the NHS has “turned a corner on recovery from the pandemic and the foundations are in place to make the necessary changes to the centre to best support the wider NHS” – Ms Pritchard had “decided now is the right time to stand down”.
It comes just weeks after the House of commons public accounts committee (PAC) issued a scathing report saying she and her deputy Julian Kelly, alongside two senior civil servants at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) were complacent and lacking in dynamism.
The following day, MPs on the health and social care committee issued a similar criticism, saying they were left “disappointed and frustrated” by Ms Pritchard’s appearance at the evidence session.
Layla Moran, the committee’s chair, said: “Following today’s report by the public accounts committee, this morning’s evidence session was an opportunity for NHS leadership to prove their drive and dynamism.
“Regrettably, we were left disappointed and frustrated. We had hoped for a sharpness in witnesses’ responses but were exasperated by the lengthy and diffuse answers that were given to us and will be writing to them to seek the clarity that we expected to hear in the evidence session.”
Sir James Mackey will be taking over as interim NHS chief executive.
The health secretary Wes Streeting said Amanda Pritchard could be “enormously proud” of her tenure.
Mr Streeting said: “Amanda can be enormously proud of the leadership she has given in the face of the biggest health emergency for our country in modern history, as well as steering NHS England during turbulent political waters and six secretaries of state in her time as chief executive. She has led with integrity and unwavering commitment.
“The start of the next financial year and the publication of the 10-Year Plan for Health will be pivotal moments on the road to reform. We will also require a new relationship between the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England.
“I am delighted that Jim Mackey has agreed to step up to provide new leadership for a new era for the NHS. He knows the NHS inside out, can see how it needs to change, and will work with the speed and urgency we need.”
And Richard Meddings, chairman of NHS England, described it as “a huge loss for the NHS”.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow…
