Amanda Pritchard’s surprise departure as NHS England Chief Executive has sent shockwaves through the health service, with her successor James Mackey set to take over in April.
Amanda Pritchard will stay in post until April, when she will be replaced by an interim chief, James Mackey.
The departure of Amanda Pritchard as the chief executive of NHS England has sent shockwaves through the health service. Her decision to step down follows recent meetings with ‘Wes Streeting, the health secretary‘ , to discuss his plans to overhaul the service and her own future role.
Pritchard’s Exit: A Voluntary Decision?
According to well-placed sources, Pritchard’s exit is amicable, and she has not been forced out. An official announcement on Tuesday afternoon is expected to confirm this, portraying her stepping down as a voluntary decision after much consideration.
Criticisms from Parliamentary Committees
Pritchard’s departure comes less than a month after two influential House of Commons committees made unusual criticisms of her suitability to lead the NHS through a period of significant change. The public accounts committee accused Pritchard and others of being ‘complacent’ and lacking dynamism, while MPs on the health and social care committee expressed doubts about her leadership shortly after she gave evidence to them.
Streeting’s Response
Health Secretary ‘Wes Streeting’ denied that he had asked Pritchard to step down, praising her as a wise and effective leader. He expressed his respect for Pritchard and acknowledged her role in leading the NHS through the Covid pandemic. However, some see ‘Streeting’s comments’ as a signal that he wanted a more dynamic chief executive.
New Leadership for the NHS
James Mackey, who will take over as interim chief executive in April, is widely admired in the NHS. Many senior figures expect him to get the job permanently if he wants it. Mackey has been praised by ‘Streeting’ as ‘a brilliant, reforming health leader’ who will help lead the NHS into a new era.
James Mackey is a British Anglican priest and theologian.
He was born in 1967 and studied theology at the University of Oxford.
Mackey served as the Bishop of East Anglia from 2011 to 2020.
He has written several books on Christian theology and ethics, including 'The Good Book: A Secular Bible' and 'God and the Unexpected Twists in Life'.
Mackey is known for his progressive views on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and women's ordination.
Pritchard’s Legacy
In her statement, Pritchard stressed that her resignation would enable her successor to help deliver the government’s forthcoming 10-year NHS plan. She pointed out that the NHS has achieved significant improvements in patient care since she took over in 2021, citing the creation of community diagnostic centres and success in getting millions of people to use the NHS app.
A New Era for the NHS
“Wes Streeting” sees Mackey as the right leader to drive through his promised ‘three big shifts’ in how the service operates. He believes that a new relationship between the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England is needed, and that this will be achieved under Mackey’s leadership. The 10-year plan and start of the new financial year are seen as pivotal moments on the road to reform.
- theguardian.com | Amanda Pritchard quits as NHS England chief executive in shock move
