NHS chief resigns weeks after damning MPs' report

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard has stepped down from her role, following weeks of criticism from MPs and suggestions that she lacked the drive to reform the ailing health service.

- MILLIE COOKE

While health secretary Wes Streeting insisted that he did not ask Ms Pritchard to step down, the NHS chief has come under intense scrutiny in recent months. In a statement, she said it had been a “hugely difficult decision” to stand down and an “an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in its history”.

Mr Streeting, who is gearing up to take the health service through a period of major reform, said there must now be a “new relationship between the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England”. Sir James Mackey, who is the national director of elective recovery for NHS England, will be taking over as interim chief executive.