“Amanda Pritchard has today (February 25) formally notified the NHS England (NHSE) board of her decision to stand down as chief executive at the end of this financial year,” NHSE has announced.
“Sir James Mackey will be taking over as Transition CEO of NHSE, working closely with Amanda for the next month before taking up post formally on April 1,” it said.
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Pritchard stepped into the role of chief executive in August 2021 and before that she was the chief operating officer, NHSE said, adding that she “[led] the NHS through the most challenging period in its 76-year history”.
“Now that the NHS has turned a corner on recovery from the pandemic and the foundations are in place to make the necessary changes to best support the wider NHS - Amanda has decided now is the right time to stand down,” it added.
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Mackey leaves his position as chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust and National Director of Elective Recovery to take on this new role.
“[He] will step in on a secondment basis, with a remit to radically reshape how NHS England and DHSC work together,” NHSE said.
“Not good enough”
Pritchard said that “it has been an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in its history”.
“We always knew the recovery period after a once-in-a-century pandemic was going to be incredibly challenging, and whilst the timeliness and experience of care is still not good enough for too many people, the NHS has achieved a great deal... thanks to a relentless focus on innovation and reform,” she 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,” she added.
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And health secretary Wes Streeting said that “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”.
“I am delighted that Jim Mackey has agreed to step up to provide new leadership for a new era for the NHS,” he said, adding that “he knows the NHS inside out, can see how it needs to change, and will work with the speed and urgency we need”.
