Mackey names new top team at NHSE

In an email to staff today, Sir Jim said the ”NHS transformation executive team” had been put together ”at speed in extraordinary circumstances”.

Members of the team who are new to NHSE are: 

• Deputy chief executive – David Probert, who will also remain CEO of University College London Hospitals FT;
• Chief financial officer - Elizabeth O’Mahony, currently South West regional director;
• Co-medical director (secondary care) – Professor Meghana Pandit, currently CEO of Oxford University Hospitals;
• Financial reset director and accountability director – Glen Burley, who will also remain CEO of South Warwickshire University FT and its group trusts; and
• Elective care, cancer and diagnostics director – Mark Cubbon, who will also remain Manchester University FT CEO.

Current NHSE directors who are also part of the “transition” team are: 

• Co-medical director (primary care) – Claire Fuller, currently NHSE’s primary care MD. Her appointment is the first time there has been a GP as national medical director;
• Chief nursing officer – Duncan Barton;
• Clinical transformation director – Vin Diwakar;
• Urgent and emergency care director – Sarah-Jane Marsh; and
• National director of primary care and community services – Amanda Doyle.

Two current NHSE national directors are not part of the transition team: Chief workforce, training and education officer Navina Evans, and chief strategy officer Chris Hopson. Sir Jim said they will stay on and report to him, but it’s unclear how long this arrangement will last.

Sir Jim said a new chief digital officer will also be appointed “as soon as we can”. His own direct responsibilities “for a short period and until further notice” include HR amd corporate operations; and mental health, learning disabilities and autism.

His transition team “will replace the current NHS England executive group and will support ongoing business priorities, statutory functions and day-to-day delivery”. All part from Mr Probert will be in post on 1 April.

“Permanent recruitment and appointments will be made when the future form and structure is more clear,” Sir Jim said in his note to staff.

He wrote: “We are putting together this team at speed in extraordinary circumstances, and right now we don’t have all the answers – and until we do, some teams will report to me as chief executive on a short-term basis while we work out the full split of portfolios. I am aiming to confirm full responsibilities as soon as possible.”

The shake-up follows a swathe of resignations in recent days, including CFO Julian Kelly, CEO Amanda Pritchard, chief operating officer Dame Emily Lawson and chief delivery officer Steve Russell. Chair Richard Meddings has also been pushed out, and medical director Sir Stephen Powis leaves in the summer. The COO and chief delivery officer posts are being scrapped.

Regional directors remain as at present, except for the South West, where regional chief nurse Sue Doheny will be acting RD, with Ms O’Mahony seconded as CFO.

Sir Jim added in his email: ”I know this is an unsettling experience. The new team will be in touch soon to arrange calls so they can tell you more about how we will work together.

“Understandably, many of you want to know the details of how we will be integrated into the department. Later this week, we will be meeting with DHSC colleagues to agree the broad details of how this process will work. We will let you all know further details as soon as possible.”