Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive since August 2021 and chief operating officer since 2019, has notified the NHS England Board of her decision to stand down at the end of March.
Ms. Pritchard has guided the NHS through the most challenging period in its 76-year history and, having discussed this with the secretary of state for health and social care, since the NHS now has the foundations to make necessary changes, she feels now is the right time to stand up.
Amanda’s time as NHS chief has been a challenging one. She has lead the NHS through several waves of Covid-19 and its subsequent vaccination rollouts, published the first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, and seen Health and Social Care Act 2022 reforms through. She said: “It has been an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in its history.
“I am immensely proud of the NHS response to COVID-19, 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, with NHS teams delivered record levels of activity in primary care, community and mental health services, meaning millions more appointments for patients.
“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.”
Taking over, Sir James Mackey will fulfil the role of transition CEO of NHS England, working closely with Amanda over the next month before taking up the position in April. Mr Mackey is currently the chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and national director of elective recovery, having been a leader at local, regional, and national levels.
Sir James 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.
“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."
