Dr Penelope Dash has been confirmed as the new chair of NHS England by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Penelope (Penny) Dash is currently chair of the NHS North-West London Integrated Care Board. She is also head of strategy at the DHSC and a senior partner at McKinsey and Company.
She was selected as chair through an open public appointment process and will replace Richard Meddings, who will step down next month. Dr Dash’s term will last four years from 1 April 2025.
Penny Dash said: ‘I am honoured to have been appointed the new chair of NHS England. I am excited to start working with my NHS colleagues and the government to accelerate the process of renewal and rebuilding to make sure the NHS continues to serve the needs of its communities and its staff.
‘The 10-year health plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the NHS to take on the challenges of the future and I look forward to playing my part.’
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was ‘delighted’ at the appointment. He added: ‘She is a radical reformer, with the skills and experience we need to help fix our broken NHS and make it fit for the future.
‘I look forward to working with her as we continue to tackle the waiting list backlog, unleash innovation in health services, and support our healthcare staff to deliver the timely care patients deserve.’
He also thanked Richard Meddings for service in ‘helping to guide the NHS through the aftermath of the pandemic’.
CQC review
In 2024, Dr Dash led a review of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which identified ‘significant failings’. The report also said these failings were ‘hampering its ability to identify poor performance’.
The review found the regulator’s inspection levels were well below pre-COVID levels. It also described a lack of clinical expertise among inspectors and inconsistent assessments. Finally, it detailed issues with the CQC’s IT systems.
It then concluded that the CQC was ‘unable to consistently and effectively judge the quality of health and care services, including those in need of urgent improvement’.
Dr Dash said: ‘The contents of my interim report underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reform within the CQC. By addressing these failings together, we can enhance the regulator’s ability to inspect and rate the safety and quality of health and social care services across England.
‘Our ultimate goal is to build a robust, effective regulator that can support a sustainable and high-performing NHS and social care system which the general public deserves.’
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