Wes Streeting is planning to cut thousands of jobs at NHS England following the removal of its chair and chief executive, which healthcare staff fear is an attempt to seize more control.
The health secretary plans to restructure NHS England and reduce its workforce by making deep cuts. Streeting aims to end the duplication of roles between NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which has led to disagreements and delays in policy initiatives.
NHS England personnel will bear the brunt of the job losses, with some teams being merged and the communications teams of both organizations working more closely together. Streeting has already replaced Richard Meddings, the Conservative-appointed chair, with Dr Penny Dash, a doctor who shares his enthusiasm for radical NHS reform.
Insiders believe that Pritchard’s resignation will give Streeting more power and control over NHS England. The job cuts are expected to further weaken NHS England, which could undermine the operational and clinical independence of NHS leaders.
Pritchard explained her decision to step down, believing that new leadership was needed to implement the government’s forthcoming 10-year health plan. However, Streeting denied that he asked Pritchard to step down, praising her leadership during his time as health secretary.
