Pritchard has been chief executive since August 2021 and chief operating officer since 2019.

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 the centre to best support the wider NHS, Pritchard has decided now is the right time to stand down.

During her time as chief executive, the NHS has responded to the Omicron wave of Covid-19, protecting tens of millions of adults in England with a booster vaccine, published the first ever NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and turned the corner on the inevitable impacts of the pandemic – with A&E waiting times, elective and cancer performance, acute sector productivity, and staff survey results all now improving.  

Under Pritchard's leadership, NHS England has also reduced its headcount by over a third and already made savings of nearly £500m to reinvest in frontline care. At the same time she has overseen reforms in the Health and Care Act 2022, including the replacement of almost 200 Clinical Commissioning Groups with 42 ICBs; major improvements in the NHS' digital infrastructure, including far more services available through the NHS App and the rollout of virtual wards; and the forging of groundbreaking partnerships to improve care options for patients, including the NHS Genomic Medicine Strategy, the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, and CAR-T cancer therapies. 

Pritchard said: ‘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, while 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, and 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.'

She added: ‘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.'

Sir James Mackey will be taking over as transition CEO of NHS England, working closely with Pritchard for the next month before taking up post formally on 1 April.

Sir James will step in on a secondment basis, with a remit to radically reshape how NHS England and DHSC work together. To ensure a smooth transition, he will work closely with Amanda until the end of her time in post. 

He is currently the chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust and national director of Elective Recovery, with demonstrable experience of leadership at a local, regional and national level.

Sir James has previous experience of national leadership within the NHS - notably during his previous tenure as chief executive of NHS Improvement.

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: '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. She has led with integrity and unwavering commitment.'

Streeting added: ‘I am delighted that Jim Mackey has agreed to step up to provide new leadership for a new era for the NHS. He knows the NHS inside out, can see how it needs to change, and will work with the speed and urgency we need.'

Sir James 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.'

REACTION

Richard Meddings, chair of NHS England, said: 'While I understand Amanda's wish to stand down to facilitate the reshaping of the roles and relationship between NHSE and the DHSC, this is a huge loss for the NHS.

'Under her leadership, the NHS has delivered a huge amount for patients - in the face of pandemic recovery, unprecedented strikes and consecutive even busier winter periods, the NHS has continued to improve performance, reform and innovate. And the NHS in England today is delivering record levels of healthcare as it faces ever increasing demand.'

Interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said: ‘Amanda has never shied away from the scale of the challenges the health service faces, but her desire to engage with colleagues at all levels across the NHS has helped forge a closer relationship between NHS England and the frontline.

‘She leaves a legacy of hope for a renewed and resilient NHS as work continues in shaping the forthcoming 10-year health plan.'

Former NHS chief executive Lord Simon Stevens said: ‘Having been a widely respected chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals, Amanda then agreed to step up and serve as NHS chief operating officer and subsequently CEO under some of the most demanding circumstances the Health Service has ever faced. I am personally hugely grateful for her outstanding leadership as my deputy during Covid, when she played such a critical role in successfully leading the NHS through the pandemic.'

Former secretary of state for health and social care, Sir Sajid Javid, 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.'

Former secretary of state for health and social care, 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.'

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: ‘During her tenure, she has helped the NHS to navigate pivotal moments including the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery efforts, the advent of integrated care systems and primary care networks, the NHS's first workforce strategy and dealing with the impact of industrial action and significant funding boosts. As the first woman in the NHS's history to hold this post, her appointment was a landmark occasion for the sector and its staff.

‘While her role has seen her face many challenges, including constraints on capital, rising demand for services and ill-health, the large-scale restructuring of NHS England, and navigating six health secretaries, her commitment to the service has been evident in everything she has done.'

Lord Ara Darzi said: ‘There is absolutely no doubt that Amanda has led the NHS through its most difficult periods in recovering from the shock of the pandemic - she should be immensely proud of the exceptional leadership she has shown during this time. I know Amanda will succeed in whatever she chooses to do next.'

Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, Dr Jeanette Dickson said: ‘Today's disappointing news has hit people hard. She is an extraordinary leader who has led the NHS through some of its toughest times. We wish her well.'

 

Charity director at Age UK, Caroline Abrahams said: ‘Much will be written about what this means, but I'd like to sincerely thank Amanda for always giving 110% to the toughest of jobs at an incredibly challenging time.'

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of The King's Fund, said: 'The decision for new leadership comes at an extremely critical time for the NHS. Over the past few months, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have been working closely together to prepare the forthcoming 10 Year Plan to reform the NHS. It is crucial that the two organisations continue to work well together but equally important that NHS leaders retain operational and clinical independence for the day-to-day running of the service.

‘Sir Jim Mackey is an experienced leader who we trust will make a positive impact as the healthcare system navigates this period of change.' 

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat Health and Care Spokesperson, said: ‘This change of administration must be a line in the sand for our NHS. The next leader must ensure that we deliver the improvement that patients so desperately need to see.

'Millions of people trying to access GPs, routine appointments, or emergency care have been failed by the current system. People up and down the country deserve better - and the new top brass at the NHS must deliver that.'