Amanda Pritchard is stepping down as the chief executive of the National Health Service (NHS) England at the end of March 2025.
Her decision to step down follows discussions with Health Secretary Wes Streeting regarding the future direction of the NHS and her role within it.
Though her exit is described as “amicable”, it occurs in the wake of criticism from two House of Commons committees questioning her suitability to lead the NHS.
Pritchard's resignation is set to be officially confirmed as a voluntary decision.
However, this announcement comes shortly after the public accounts and the health and social care committees expressed concerns about her leadership, particularly her ability to implement the radical changes envisioned by the government.
The committees highlighted a perceived lack of dynamism and drive, with the latter expressing exasperation over Pritchard's responses during a two-hour evidence session.
James Mackey, currently the chief executive of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, is poised to take over as interim chief executive.
With a reputation within the NHS, Mackey is considered a likely candidate for the permanent role.
In her statement, Pritchard referred to her decision to resign as "hugely difficult" but necessary to allow her successor to effectively implement the government's upcoming ten-year NHS plan.
Pritchard said: “The NHS has achieved a great deal in the face of historic pressure thanks to a relentless focus on innovation and reform.”
Behind the scenes, the Department of Health and Social Care began discussions that led to Pritchard's departure, despite initially stating that Streeting had full confidence in her.
Since assuming his role, Streeting has made significant changes to NHS England's leadership, including replacing Richard Meddings with Dr Penny Dash as chair and appointing former health secretary Alan Milburn as the health department’s lead non-executive director.
Streeting's reforms aim to fulfil Labour's promise to "fix" the NHS, focusing on reducing treatment waiting times and shifting towards a more community-based, preventive healthcare model.
NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor 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.”
In a related development, NHS announced a gathering in Reading, where more than 100 frontline staff will join NHS England directors to discuss their aspirations for the government's NHS 10-Year Health Plan.
This event is part of a broader initiative, with similar discussions taking place nationwide, aimed at reshaping the health service.
