NHS England’s national medical director is to step down from his role.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis handed in his resignation in January, following seven years in the job. He will finish his duties in July.
The 64-year-old’s decision is not thought to be related to other changes at NHS England, whose chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, announced last week she was leaving her job.
Sir Stephen, became a prominent figure during the COVID-19 pandemic, regularly appearing at Downing Street news conferences.
by Mark Thompson, health producer
The resignations in quick succession of NHS England’s chief executive Amanda Pritchard and national medical director Professor Sir Steve Powis signal not only a change in leadership but also a change in focus and strategy at the top of the health service.
The announcements come after a succession of inquiry and committee appearances in which the NHS leadership team was heavily criticised by MPs for being complacent and lacking clarity.
They also come after the worst of the winter pressures have passed but importantly before the government’s 10-year plan for the NHS is announced in late spring.
Professor Powis’ has privately been telling colleagues of his intentions to leave his post since January and his decision will come as less of a shock as he winds down his career.
However, in her resignation letter last week, Amanda Pritchard said she did not believe she was the right person to deliver the reorganisation of NHS structures being planned by the Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
It’s expected that her role will be absorbed into his government department, as it had been before 2012.
Streeting, who is now flanked by former health secretary Alan Milburn, is keen to be seen as willing to make tough NHS reforms needed to correct the health service’s poor post-pandemic performance.
More senior departures are likely to follow in the coming months with NHS England expected to make around 2,000 job cuts this year as it reduces its headcount by around 15%.
The most senior doctor in the NHS in England, he provides counsel to NHS leadership and other officials.
Until his departure in the summer, he will continue to focus on the medical training review for postgraduate doctors, his ongoing work to improve stroke care, as well as “ongoing inquiry commitments”.
Sir Stephen said in a statement: “It has been an immense privilege to serve as national medical director for the NHS and I am incredibly grateful to have been supported by amazing colleagues working across the NHS to boost the experiences of patients.”
Commenting on his departure, England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, said: “Prof Steve Powis has been a remarkable clinical leader in the NHS during the most difficult crisis in its history.”
