It is important to understand that the circumstances surrounding these departures can vary. They may involve early retirement, resignations, or situations where contracts are terminated.

Also tribunal hearings can reveal very damaging information regarding how some NHS trusts are run. As seen with the Countess of chester hospital trust.

NHS England Chief Executive to Step Down Early with Six-Figure Payout

Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, is set to receive a substantial financial package as she steps down from her role at the end of March, The Telegraph has revealed.

Pritchard’s departure follows discussions with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, though formal agreements with the NHS board are still pending. She is expected to receive payment for five of the six months of her notice period that she will not be serving.

Her exit comes after a challenging winter for the NHS. A parliamentary watchdog recently criticized her and her team for their inadequate efforts to boost productivity, calling it the “worst complacency” seen by MPs. Another parliamentary committee expressed frustration with her responses, questioning whether she had the energy and determination required to lead the health service amid record patient wait times and overcrowded hospitals.

Despite speculation, Streeting denied pushing Pritchard to resign. In an internal email to NHS staff, Pritchard cited the Health Secretary’s push for “radical reform” as a key factor in her decision. She agreed that major changes were needed in NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to support local NHS providers and implement government priorities effectively.

Pritchard’s resignation follows Streeting’s announcement of plans to cut 2,000 office jobs at NHS England in an effort to reduce bureaucracy. NHS England, established in 2013 under Andrew Lansley’s reforms, was intended to operate independently from the government, but critics argue it has become inefficient and overly bureaucratic.

Reports indicate tensions had been growing between Pritchard and the government, particularly over NHS targets and budget constraints. A senior health official suggested that she chose to leave after realizing that Streeting and his advisor, Alan Milburn, intended for the DHSC to take on more operational control of the NHS. The source added that attracting a high-profile replacement for Pritchard might be difficult, as her successor's role would likely be closer to that of a civil servant.

Her decision reportedly came as a surprise to many NHS employees, who were informed on Tuesday morning following a key meeting with Streeting the day before. Pritchard, who took over as chief executive in August 2021, has overseen a period of mounting waiting lists in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, NHS England acknowledged her decision to step down, emphasizing that the health service had made significant progress in recovering from the pandemic and laying the groundwork for future reforms.

Sir James Mackey, the chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been appointed as interim chief executive.

Reflecting on her tenure, Pritchard expressed pride in leading the NHS through its most difficult period. She highlighted key achievements, including the expansion of community diagnostic centers, mental health support in schools, advancements in cancer treatment, and improvements to NHS digital services.

She acknowledged the ongoing challenges in patient care but remained optimistic about the future, crediting NHS staff for their dedication. “The NHS is full of extraordinary people who do extraordinary things every day,” she said.

Since becoming Health Secretary in July, Streeting has sought to exert greater control over NHS England, including the recent removal of its chairman, Richard Meddings.

Dismissing claims that he had forced Pritchard out, Streeting praised her leadership and contributions, stating that she had guided the NHS through one of its toughest periods. He expressed confidence in Mackey’s ability to lead the health service into a new phase of reform under the upcoming 10-year health plan.

Mackey, in turn, described his appointment as an honor, acknowledging the NHS’s recent struggles and praising Pritchard’s leadership. He vowed to work closely with the government to reshape NHS England and ensure the health service is equipped for the future.