Pritchard to step down as NHSE chief as Streeting reorganises centre

Amanda Pritchard will step down as NHS England CEO at the end of next month, with Sir Jim Mackey taking over as interim chief.

Ms Pritchard took up the role in 2021, having before been NHSE chief operating officer and previously CEO of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust.

She said Wes Streeting was planning further reorganisation of the centre of the NHS, and she does not believe she is the right person to deliver it.

Senior sources said the health and social care secretary wants to effectively return to the NHS chief executive being a role within his department, as it was before the 2012 Lansley reforms. 

He has vowed not to legislatively abolish NHSE, but thinks significant change can be made without that.

A statement said Sir Jim, currently Newcastle Hospitals CEO and a former chief of NHS Improvement, the former national provider regulator, ”will step in on a secondment basis, with a remit to radically reshape how NHS England and DHSC work together”.

He will become interim chief from April but ”will work closely with Amanda until the end of her time in post”.

In recent weeks, NHSE’s leadership has been sharply criticised by two committees of MPs. And, although it has taken out thousands of posts over recent years, NHSE and government announced at the end of January that a further 2,000 jobs would go.

NHSE said Ms Pritchard had been discussing her departure with Mr Streeting in recent months, but his plans for the restructure and change to NHSE’s role appear to have caused the CEO to accelerate her departure.

Mr Streeting said in a statement: “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.”

He also 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.

“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.”

Ms Pritchard said in a message to NHSE staff this morning: “We have put in place the foundations for a closer working relationship with DHSC over recent months but I agree with the Secretary of State that radical reform of the size and functions of NHS England and the DHSC is now needed to best support local NHS systems and providers to deliver for patients and drive the government’s reform priorities, which I share. I believe that the step change now required would be best served by new leadership in NHS England. 

“The appointment of a new chair and impending publication of the 10 Year Health Plan, supported by the [June] Spending Review, will mark the start of this new phase, and I believe creates a natural moment for me to stand aside from the role of chief executive at the end of this financial year.

“It has been an enormous privilege to help lead the NHS in England since I joined as [COO] in 2019. I take immense pride from how the NHS responded to a once-in-a-century pandemic, delivered the vaccine programme, and has turned the corner on recovery – with A&E waiting times, elective and cancer performance, productivity and NHS staff survey results all now improving, alongside record numbers of GP appointments and mental healthcare delivery.”

Sir Jim Mackey said: “I have always been very proud to work for the NHS and it will be an honour to lead the service through the next phase as we radically reshape the role of NHS England and work with the Government to build an NHS that is fit for the future through the 10 Year Health Plan… 

“I am sad to be stepping away from Newcastle Hospitals, and it has been a privilege to be part of the dedicated and talented team there over the last 14 months. I have learned a great deal from colleagues there as we have successfully tackled some difficult issues and made significant improvements. I look forward to rejoining them in due course.”