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Sir Stephen Powis resigned as England’s national medical director on Thursday ahead of an overhaul of the health service, the second major departure from NHS England within a week after Amanda Pritchard resigned as chief executive.
Powis, who became a household name during the pandemic for joint appearances alongside politicians in Downing Street briefings, will step down in July having served as NHS England’s most senior doctor for more than seven years.
His departure comes as ministers begin bringing the senior leadership of NHS England into central government, in a push to improve accountability for the service’s performance.
Last week, NHS England said that Pritchard’s replacement, Sir James Mackey, would be given “a remit to radically reshape” the relationship between the health service and the government.
The changes in senior leadership at the organisation come at a time the service is grappling with high demand and budget pressures.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said Powis “has provided outstanding clinical leadership to the NHS over the last eight years, including during the biggest health emergency our country has faced in modern history”.
He added: “His knowledge, professionalism, and guidance helped the NHS rise to the challenges created by the pandemic.”
Powis said: “My time in post has been dominated by the pandemic and its ongoing impact. I will for ever be humbled by the extraordinary work of staff throughout the NHS to the greatest health emergency in a century and I am very proud of the support and advice I was personally able to give to staff, ministers and the public.”
NHS England praised the “key role” Powis played as the NHS grappled with the pandemic, “leading the health service, supporting frontline workers and advising the public on dozens of government Covid briefings.”
It added: “During his tenure, he has led several national reviews as well as overseeing teams who have developed and implemented the national cardiovascular, respiratory and stroke programmes, the creation of the first national patient safety strategy, and the successful rollout of medical examiners.”
