An NHS transformation executive team has been announced to help lead the transition of NHS England into the DHSC and “support ongoing business priorities, statutory functions and day to day delivery”.
With all colleagues except for the deputy CEO expected to be in post on 1 April, the team has reportedly been drawn from the existing executive and wider NHS on secondment, with all appointments being subject to approval of the board. “Permanent recruitment and appointments will be made when the future form and structure is more clear,” the update states, whilst the roles of chief operating officer and chief delivery officer “will no longer exist in the transformation structure”.
Instead, the team will reportedly include two co-medical directors, and introduce a range of new posts, including a financial reset and accountability director, and an elective care, cancer and diagnostics director. Professor Stephen Powis will also remain in post as national medical director until early July.
The update lists those appointed to the team, along with their role and responsibilities, with Sir James Mackey taking on the role of CEO, holding “overall accountability and leadership of the organisation”, and David Probert named as deputy CEO.
Mark Cubbon has been assigned the new role of elective care, cancer and diagnostics director, whilst Vin Diwakar is named as clinical transformation director; Sarah-Jane Marsh will become urgent and emergency care director; and Amanda Doyle will take on the role of national director of primary care and community services. To learn more about the team, please click here.
Looking ahead: the future of the NHS
For a recent HTN Now panel discussion, we were joined by experts from across the health sector to dissect the findings from Lord Darzi’s report, reflecting on what is holding the NHS back from innovation; the challenges and missed opportunities; and the role of digital and tech in driving change, supporting a focus on prevention and promoting integrated care. Panellists included Lee Rickles, CIO, director & deputy SIRO at Humber Teaching Hospitals; Andrew Jones, digital transformation leader at Amazon Web Services; Tracy McClelland, CCIO at Dedalus; and Dan Bunstone, clinical director at Warrington Innovation Network and Warrington ICB.
In October 2024, the Department of Health and Social Care launched an open call for comment on ideas for change within health and care as part of the 10 Year Health Plan. Since then, over 11,000 ideas have been put forward, with the most liked suggestion focusing on the accessibility of digital records. Posted by Ben Bradley, the idea suggests that “records from ALL hospitals should be available to view at ALL GP surgeries” and currently has 2,216 upvotes, the highest for an idea suggested so far, and 98 comments. Many of these comments echo the same sentiments, with others suggesting that interoperability should extend to all NHS providers, not just GP practices.
