NHS England boss Amanda Pritchard quits in shock move

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard has announced she is standing down after three and a half years in the role.

Ms Pritchard, the first woman to hold the post, 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'. 

Her departure from the health service's top job follows a meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Monday to discuss his plans to overhaul the NHS. 

The move also comes just weeks after MPs on the cross-party Commons health and social care committee accused her of lacking the 'drive and dynamism' to radically reform the service.

Sources say she has not been forced out. But Ms Pritchard is reportedly unhappy over government plans to strip NHS England of its independence and give the Department of Health more control.

In a statement today, she wrote it had been a 'hugely difficult decision for me to stand down'. 

NHS England also said Ms Pritchard had 'decided now is the right time to stand down' having discussed everything with Mr Streeting in recent months.

It added that the health service 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 took on the role in 2021, having previously served as NHS England's chief operating officer.

Before joining NHS England in 2019, she served as chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London. 

In her resignation letter, which she shared on X, she said: 'I am immensely proud of the NHS response to Covid, and how we have delivered steady recovery from the inevitable impacts of the pandemic, with performance in urgent and emergency care, elective and cancer all improving over the past two years.

'NHS teams delivered record levels of activity in primary care, community and mental health services, meaning millions more appointments for patients.

'We always knew the recovery period after a once-in-a-century pandemic was going to be incredibly challenging.

'Whilst the timeliness and experience of care is still not good enough for too many people, the NHS has achieved a great deal in the face of historic pressure thanks to a relentless focus on innovation and reform.

'From the rollout of community diagnostic centres and mental health teams in schools to world-leading cancer vaccines and the development of the app, the NHS now feels very different to when I became chief executive over three and a half years ago.

'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.

'The NHS is full of extraordinary people, who do extraordinary things every day for patients. The achievements I have listed above, and many more, are theirs - and I am confident they will continue to achieve incredible things for patients now, and into the future.'

Ms Pritchard, has however, come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, MPs on the Health and Social Care Committee said they were disappointed and frustrated by the 'lengthy and diffuse answers' she and other officials gave them under questioning.

Last week, she also admitted 'we're not all brilliant performers at committee hearings' as she was challenged on the issue.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Ms Pritchard was asked whether she was the right person to lead the health service.

She said: 'We are far from complacent. I mean, particularly they were talking to us about productivity, and spending public money wisely is an absolute priority for us.

'Equally, I think I'll be honest enough to say we're not all brilliant performers at committee hearings, but it's absolutely right that we are scrutinised by Parliament.'

Today, Wes Streeting said Ms Pritchard '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'.

He added: '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.'

Sir James Mackey, national director of elective recovery for the health service, will be taking over as interim NHS chief executive from April 1. 

Sir James, who is also currently chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust, 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.

'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.

'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.'

Following his appointment as health secretary in July, Mr Streeting promised 'three big shifts' in how the service operates. 

In October, NHS England chair Richard Meddings announced he would be stepping down in March after a discussion with the health secretary. 

Mr Streeting has also appointed Alan Milburn, who was health secretary under Tony Blair from 1999 to 2003, as the health department's lead non-executive director.

Responding to Ms Pritchard's resignation today, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, said: 'Amanda Pritchard has been an outstanding CEO in troubled times for the NHS. 

'One of her biggest legacies will be the long-term workforce plan which doubles the number of doctors we train. 

'She will be greatly missed for the principled and effective way she got things done.'

Sir Sajid Javid, who served as health secretary under Boris Johnson, also said: 'Amanda's departure is a great loss for NHS England. 

'She has been a tireless NHS champion, showing exceptional leadership through the pandemic and recovery. 

'Despite immense pressures, she has led with skill and dedication, achieving much for patients. I thank her for her service and wish her the very best.'