NHS appoints ‘continuity candidate’ as new leader
Amanda Pritchard said she was ‘honoured’ to be the first female chief executive but faces tough baptism
THE NHS has appointed a “continuity candidate” – with the current deputy of the organisation, Amanda Pritchard, appointed to the top job.
Ms Pritchard, the first woman to run the health service, has worked for NHS England for two years as chief operating officer, and joined the health service almost 25 years ago.
When Lord (then Sir Simon) Stevens announced plans to stand down earlier this year, officials embarked on a global search for his successor.
One of the most controversial applicants was Baroness Dido Harding, the former head of Test and Trace, who was ruled out some weeks ago.
Shortlisted candidates are understood to have included Mark Britnell, the chairman of KPMG; Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds city council; and Douglas Gurr, the former Amazon UK boss.
Yesterday the decision was taken to appoint closer to home, awarding the top job to Lord Stevens’s deputy.
Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, said Ms Pritchard would bring a “steady hand” to the NHS. And health service managers described her as “the continuity candidate” who would hit the ground running.
Ms Pritchard, a career NHS manager, who joined the health service in 1997, has long been considered a front runner for the job, which she will take up this weekend, as Lord Stevens bows out.
Last night she said: “I am honoured to lead the NHS, particularly as the first woman chief executive of an organisation whose staff are more than three quarters female.
“I have always been incredibly proud to work in the health service but never more so than over the last 18 months as nurses, doctors, therapists, paramedics, pharmacists, porters, cleaners and other staff have responded so magnificently to the Covid pandemic.”
The recruitment process was carried out by the board of NHS England, but the Government has a right of veto over the appointment. Yesterday, the Prime Minister approved the appointment.
It comes amid NHS reforms, which will see the organisation Lord Stevens ran for the last seven years lose its independence and become more accountable to ministers.
NHS insiders had long speculated that the Government might prefer a low-profile candidate, with ministers having sometimes come off badly from public spats with Lord Stevens on matters such as funding.
Lord Stevens, who became a crossbench peer three weeks ago, is expected is expected to continue to advocate for social care reform, a cause he has frequently highlighted.
Boris Johnson said: “I am delighted Amanda has been appointed the new NHS chief executive, the first woman in
‘I have always been proud to work in the health service but never more so than over the last 18 months’
the history of the health service to hold this post. This is a critical moment for the NHS as it continues to care for Covid patients whilst tackling treatment backlogs caused by the pandemic.”
Waiting lists are now the highest on record – with more than 5million people waiting – and last week Lord Stevens said that even with the right resources, it could take three years to clear the backlog.
Before joining NHS England Ms Pritchard spent seven years as head of Guy’s and St Thomas, one of the country’s biggest hospital groups. She is married, with three young children, and has also served as a health team leader in the Cabinet Office’s delivery unit.
Ms Pritchard has said she inherited “a strong public service ethos” from her parents – with her father a bishop, and mother a maths teacher.