Amanda Pritchard to step down as NHS England chief executive

Amanda Pritchard has announced that she will “stand aside” from the role of chief executive of NHS England at the end of March 2025.

In a letter to Richard Meddings, NHSE chair and Wes Streeting, health secretary, posted this morning on X, Pritchard confirmed her decision to step down at the end of this financial year.

Since becoming chief executive in August 2021 and chief operating officer in 2019, Pritchard’s achievements include overseeing improvements to the NHS’ digital infrastructure, including making more services available through the NHS App and the rollout of virtual wards.

Sir Jim Mackey will take over as transition chief executive of NHSE, working closely with Pritchard for the next month before taking up post on 1 April 2025, with a remit to radically reshape how NHSE and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) work together.

In a NHSE press release, Pritchard said: “Having put in place the foundations for a closer working relationship, I believe that the step change now required would be best served by new leadership in NHS England.

“It has been an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in its history.

“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.

“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.”

Pritchard was the first woman in the health service’s history to hold the post of chief executive.

Before joining NHSE, she served as chief executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, was previously deputy chief executive at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust and also served as a health team leader in the prime minister’s Delivery Unit.

Commenting on Pritchard’s departure, Streeting 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.”

Speaking at the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee on 29 January 2025, Pritchard hinted at changes to the leadership of the NHS Transformation Directorate

“The opportunity clearly now, particularly with the new government in place, is to make sure that between us and them we’re confident that we’ve got the right leadership arrangements in place across NHS England and the department so that we’re aligning with the vision from the 10 year plan,” she said.