Wes Streeting to cut ‘up to 6,500' NHS management jobs

A significant overhaul of NHS England's management could result in approximately half of central roles being cut - up t 6,500 roles - in an effort to streamline national leadership. On Monday (March 10), it was revealed that three more top figures will be departing their positions, following last week's news that chief executive Amanda Pritchard is set to step down at the end of the month.

Chief financial officer Julian Kelly, chief operating officer Dame Emily Lawson, and chief delivery officer Steve Russell will also exit the organisation at the end of March. The nation's leading doctor, NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis, plans to step down in the summer, although his decision is said to be unrelated.

In a staff message, health officials stated that these latest announcements were "part of the upcoming changes to the size and function of the centre". It was stated that NHS England will be "radically reduced" and the "size of the centre decrease by around half".

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is believed to have initiated the restructure to bring the organisation more closely under the control of his department, with some duplicated roles being cut. This comes as NHS leaders are reportedly being instructed to propose savings to prevent a £7billion deficit for the upcoming financial year, reports the Express.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, described the changes as "the biggest reshaping of the NHS's national architecture in more than a decade". He remarked: "These changes are happening at a scale and pace not anticipated to begin with, but given the huge savings that the NHS needs to make this year it makes sense to reduce areas of duplication at a national level and for the NHS to be led by a leaner centre."

NHS England has announced that Sir Jim Mackey, who will start his role as interim chief executive at the beginning of April, is assigned to set up a "transition team within NHS England to lead the radical reduction and reshaping of the centre with DHSC". Ms Pritchard stated, "It has been a privilege to work alongside Julian, Steve and Emily – they have made a huge contribution to the NHS and the country as a whole."

She added, "There is no doubt the last few years have been the most difficult in NHS history, and the continued improvements to health service performance and productivity would not have been possible without their invaluable experience, skill and dedication."

Acknowledging their roles during a critical period, she said: "Not only have they expertly guided the NHS through the shock of and response to the pandemic – but also helped turn the corner in the recovery period. While now is the right moment for them to move on, I know they will be missed by their colleagues – not only for their professional brilliance, but their commitment to delivering the best for patients."

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