NHS England Chief Executive To Step Down
Amanda Pritchard has stepped down as NHS chief (Alamy)
3 min read
The Chief Executive of NHS England Amanda Pritchard is stepping down.
She will be replaced by Sir James Mackey, who will take over in a transitional capacity before taking up the post formally in April.
Pritchard has agreed it is the right time to stand down having held discussions with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the health service said in a statement on Tuesday.
NHS England said that Mackey — who is currently Chief Executive of Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust and National Director of Elective Recovery — will have a remit to "radically reshape how NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care work together".
“It has been an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in its history," Pritchard said.
“While it has been a hugely difficult decision for me to stand down, I believe now is the right time – with the NHS making continued progress in our recovery, and with the foundations firmly in place to deliver the 10 Year Health Plan."
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."
Pritchard has headed up NHS England since August 2021 and previously served as the Chief Operating Officer in the NHS.
Before joining the NHS Pritchard also served as a health team leader in former prime minister Tony Blair's delivery unit.
In an interview with The House magazine late last year, Pritchard stressed the importance of tackling challenges facing adult social care, saying it is “definitely not possible to talk about the NHS without talking about social care".
Pritchard's announcement comes amid a government push for the DHSC and NHS England to work much more closely, PoliticsHome understands.
Richard Meddings, chair of NHS England said: “While I understand Amanda’s wish to stand down to facilitate the reshaping of the roles and relationship between NHSE and the DHSC, this is a huge loss for the NHS."
Mackey said it would be an honour to lead the service through the next phase.
“The NHS has experienced the most challenging period in its history – not only the shock of the pandemic but picking up the pieces after. Amanda has done an extraordinary job of leading the NHS through this difficult period," Mackey said.
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt said Pritchard had been "an outstanding CEO in troubled times for the NHS".
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