Healthcare sector responds to resignation of NHS England chief executive

Healthcare organisations have responded to the news that the chief executive of NHS England, Amanda Pritchard, will leave her position at the end of March.

Pritchard, who has been in post since 2021, has resigned, saying that she is not the correct person to lead the reorganisation planned by health and social care secretary, Wes Streeting.

Speaking to NHS England staff on Tuesday (25 February), Pritchard said that “radical reform of the size and functions of NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care 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.”

She added: “I believe that the step change now required would be best served by new leadership in NHS England.”

The appointment of a new NHS England chair and the expected spring publication of the 10 Year Plan for Health “creates a natural moment for me to stand aside from the role of chief executive at the end of this financial year,” Pritchard said.

Pritchard reiterated her thoughts in a letter to Streeting, where she also emphasised that “this has not been a decision I have taken lightly.”

"It has been an enormous privilege to help lead the NHS in England since 2019, through the most difficult period in its history, first as chief operating officer and latterly as chief executive,” she added.

Streeting has voiced a desire to return the role to within his own department, as was the case before 2012, the Health Service Journal said.

Streeting has spoken of the publication of the 10 Year Plan for Health as a “pivotal” moment of reform.

He has added that a “new relationship between the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England” will be required.

Pritchard will be replaced on an interim basis by Sir Jim Mackey, currently chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Mackey held the position of interim chief operating officer of NHS England in 2023, and has also previously led NHS Improvement.

Facing pivotal moments

On behalf of the organisation’s members, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, thanked Pritchard for her leadership of NHS England over the past three and a half years.

He noted that her tenure has “helped the NHS to navigate pivotal moments,” including COVID-19 and its subsequent recovery efforts, the introduction of integrated care systems and primary care networks, and the NHS’ first workforce strategy.

Taylor also acknowledged Pritchard’s leadership during industrial action.

“As the first woman in the NHS’ history to hold this post, her appointment was a landmark occasion for the sector and its staff,” he said.

“While her role has seen her face many challenges, including constraints on capital, rising demand for services and ill-health, the large-scale restructuring of NHS England, and navigating six health secretaries, her commitment to the service has been evident in everything she has done.”

He added: “I have enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with Amanda and hope that she will be able to continue supporting the NHS.”

Taylor emphasised that the NHS Confederation remains “committed to working collaboratively with NHS England and Jim Mackey as its transitional chief executive, to continue building on the progress made to support the NHS and as work continues to develop the 10 Year Health Plan.”

Responding to the announcement, Adam Sampson, AOP chief executive, said: “The NHS is undeniably at a critical juncture. We have heard from the Secretary of State and Lord Darzi that the NHS is broken and needs fixing urgently. We face a growing crisis of longer waiting lists, staff shortages and increasingly stretched resources. 

“But we also know this is a moment where real change can happen, with clear consensus around the Government’s three big shifts in health – including the critical role of primary care providers.”

He added: “Delivering the 10 Year Health Plan, alongside the Spending Review, will be crucial in shaping the future of the healthcare system. Optometrists are ready to play a larger, more enhanced role in a transformed and integrated primary care service. 

“Findings from our commissioned PA Consulting report demonstrate that community optometry already provides huge value to the NHS, and can deliver even more if utilised consistently, across the UK to alleviate pressure on GPs and hospitals, cut wait times, as well as preventative care that enables better eye health outcomes for the public.”

Sampson noted that “structural reform will be vital if we are really to see a shift in focus from hospital to community, and to a model of preventative health." 

"We, alongside the pharmacists, dentists and GPs, look forward to working collaboratively with NHS England, under the leadership of interim CEO Jim Mackey, to deliver on this vision and the Government’s priorities for the NHS,” he added.

Speaking about Pritchard’s resignation, 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.”

He added: “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.”