Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary has written to the Cabinet Secretary to raise concerns about transparency and political influence in the appointment of the new chief executive of NHS England.

Jonathan Ashworth has argued that the appointment is a matter of the ‘upmost importance’ for both patients and NHS staff, stressing that the holder of this role will shape the future of the health service and arguably the most critical time in its history. Ashworth said he was writing to seek assurances that the appointment process will be transparent, based on merit, and without undue political influence.

Ashworth said: “Waiting lists are rocketing and patients are left longer in pain for an operation or face lengthening times for cancer treatment. The NHS needs a chief executive with a proven track record of delivering quality care and who will never fail to champion a public universal NHS, stand up to Rishi Sunak and secure crucial extra investment. This is one of the biggest health care jobs in the world, patients expect the appointment to be made transparency and on the basis of merit.”