Ex-director to lead NHSE and DHSC merger

Richard Barker was a regional director (RD) from NHS England’s creation in 2012 until his retirement last June.

He is now returning to be the “senior responsible owner” (SRO) for the transition programme, reporting both to NHSE chief Sir Jim Mackey and the department’s new permanent secretary Samantha Jones.

They have not announced the duration of the role, but initial expectations are most of the changes could take effect in October 2026.

Mr Barker worked across both the North East and Yorkshire, and North West regions, and was widely respected by many NHS leaders in those areas.

An internal announcement said he “will lead the large-scale, complex change programme to integrate NHSE into the Department of Health and Social Care to form a new, single, more efficient, and leaner organisation”, starting work on Tuesday 13 May.

The appointment follows a search for an SRO since Sir Jim was appointed as CEO in March. 

During Mr Barker’s time as RD, NEY established integrated care boards covering much larger areas than elsewhere, and recruited trust CEOs to lead them. He involved the ICB chiefs in regional decisions more than other RDs, and was quicker to delegate some functions.

He has not worked as a national civil servant, but as RD he was part of NHSE’s national executive team, and also served as interim national chief operating officer. Before joining NHSE, Mr Barker worked in NHS organisations in the north of England, including regional and strategic health authorities.

The transition programme is likely to involve restructuring NHSE’s regional teams, either to set them up as new independent health authorities, or part of DHSC.

Mr Barker will work with transition programme director Matt Tagney, who has been a programme director in NHSE for about a decade, and has previously worked in the Department of Health.

There have already been delays to an initial organisational design promised for last month.

Sir Jim said in the internal announcement: “Richard Barker brings his record of delivery over four decades in leading this crucial programme, which will make sure the new organisation has the right structures and functions in place for now and the future.”

Interim permanent secretary Sir Chris Whitty said it was a “critical role” to “create a new Department of State covering the range of health and social care”.

DHSC lead non-executive director Alan Milburn and NHSE chair Penny Dash are also expected to play a leading role in the merger.