ENGLAND’S top doctor has resigned from NHS management just a week after his boss also quit amid a Labour power grab.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director for NHS England, will step down in July after seven years.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, pictured in 2022[/caption]
His resignation is said to have been months in the offing but adds to an exodus at the top of the health service.
NHS chief executive, Amanda Pritchard, handed in her notice last week and Prof Powis’ exit means two of its most powerful leaders will soon be gone.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is shrinking NHS England, with another 2,000 jobs facing the axe and power being handed to local health boards and the Department of Health.
Prof Powis, 64, is expected to be replaced in the £245,000-a-year role.
He said: “It has been an immense privilege to serve as national medical director for the NHS.
“My time in post has been dominated by the pandemic and its ongoing impact.
“I will forever be humbled by the extraordinary work of staff throughout the NHS to the greatest health emergency in a century.
“I am very proud of the support and advice I was personally able to give to staff, ministers and the public.”
Familiar face from Covid briefings
He made regular appearances on TV briefings during the height of the Covid crisis and was present in person when the first ever jab was administered to Maggie Keenan in 2020.
Medical leaders praised the departing Prof Powis and Sir Chris Whitty said the country was “exceptionally fortunate” that he was in post through the pandemic.
Wes Streeting said: “Steve has provided outstanding clinical leadership to the NHS over the last seven years.
“I would like to thank Steve not only for his pivotal role in the Covid vaccine roll out, but for all his work as medical director.”
NHS CEO RESIGNS OVER LABOUR POWER GRAB
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard resigned on February 25 over Labour’s plan to take control of the health service.
Ms Pritchard, 48, will step down at the end of March after three years in post since she was appointed its first female chief in August 2021.
She quit after being told she would lose her powers under Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s plan to strip control away from NHS England.
He will hand more decision-making powers to local health boards and the Department of Health in Whitehall.
There is no plan to replace Ms Pritchard, who was last year paid around £270,000, and a “transition CEO” will be put in place for a “radical reshape” of NHS management.
A source said: “There will be a different setup in future.”
Ms Pritchard said: “It has been an enormous privilege to lead the NHS.
“While it has been a hugely difficult decision for me to stand down, I believe now is the right time.”
