Streeting hires adviser to push ‘big reforms’

The appointment, rumoured to be in the pipeline since Mr Streeting was made health and social care secretary, was formalised by the department on Friday.

Mr Milburn has been working informally in the department, and in NHS England, for several months. He was health minister under Tony Blair from 1999-2003.

He said in a statement: “I am delighted to be appointed to this role. Having spent three decades working in health policy, I have never seen the NHS in a worse state. Big reforms will be needed to make it fit for the future.”

Mr Streeting said: “As secretary of state, Alan made the reforms which helped deliver the shortest waiting times and highest patient satisfaction in the history of the NHS… I am delighted to welcome Alan to the department board, where he will offer advice on turning the NHS around once again.”

As well as advising several governments on social mobility and work, Mr Milburn has continued work in the health sector in recent years, including as an adviser for consultancy PwC, and for private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital.

Bridgepoint announced the sale of Care UK last month. It still owns Practice Plus Group, which runs healthcare services and is a large independent provider to the NHS, currently opening several new hospitals.

Asked about potential conflicts, a DHSC source said its permanent secretary was content Mr Milburn’s interests had been declared and, where necessary, appropriate mitigations for potential conflicts put in place.

The source also pointed out NEDs are expected to work two-three days a month, and it is not unusual for them to hold multiple other positions and interests. 

Mr Milburn is known for championing a strong NHS internal market, including in the 2000s the creation of foundation trusts, and market-style mechanisms, publishing more NHS performance figures, and encouraging patient choice including the use of the private sector.

Writing in HSJ about work in 2015 to join up providers and commissioners, he called for “a better balance of reform levers between welcome efforts to integrate services with a renewed drive to inject competitive pressure and user power. The risk otherwise is that integration creates local monopolies rather than more responsive patient-centred services.”

He replaces Samantha Jones, a former hospital CEO who also worked closely with Boris Johnson during his time as prime minister. Several other DHSC non-executive directors are also due to be replaced, but no announcement has been made so far. It also needs to appoint a chair for NHS England and the Care Quality Commission by March.

The DHSC announcement said: “Due to the requirements of the role and the unique expertise and experience Alan Milburn brings, he was appointed directly by the Secretary of State on following consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, and in compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

“The Department of Health and Social Care would like to thank Samantha Jones for all her work and support as non-executive director since February 2023.”

Updated on 11 November at 11.50am after information was provided in relation to management of Mr Milburn’s interests.