New NHS Chief Executive appointed
pharmafile | July 28, 2006 | News story | |Â Â Â
David Nicholson, the current head of the health service in London has been named as the new NHS chief executive.
With 25 years' experience of working in the NHS, he has now been given one of the highest pressure jobs in the public sector, and will be charged in particular with ensuring financial stability in the health service and maintaining system reforms.
Nicholson was the only internal short-listed candidate for the post and beat off competition from two senior figures from US healthcare providers, along with Ian Smith, who runs the private healthcare company General Healthcare Group.
He is a former chief executive of Birmingham and Black Country Strategic Health Authority and of West Midlands South and Shropshire & Staffordshire SHAs and is a past regional director for the NHS in Trent.
Commenting on his appointment, David Nicholson said: "It is vital that if the NHS is to continue to meet what the public expects, it must continue to reform. This is a pivotal time for the health service. We must retain its founding ethos while adopting new and innovative ways of working for patients."
Sir Ian Carruthers has been acting NHS chief executive since Nigel Crisp stepped down in March after it emerged deficits in the system were worse than originally forecast.
Sir Ian will now take up the role of chief executive of NHS South West, with the handover to Mr Nicholson provisionally planned for September.
The appointment has been welcomed by NHS groups. Dr Michael Dixon, NHS Alliance chairman, said: "David Nicholson's appointment is a considerable tribute to his ability and reputation for delivery, especially since he was up against powerful international competition."
He added: "The NHS Alliance looks forward to working with him and to giving him a full briefing on the realities of the NHS."
The alliance has long criticised the government's choice of senior health supremos claiming that many of them did not have a real grasp of how the NHS actually worked, particularly in the primary care sector.
But an alliance spokeswoman said Mr Nicholson's past experience in the health service boded well for the future. She commented: "Mr Nicholson has a reputation for delivering and this is very encouraging."
Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said: "The appointment of David Nicholson shows that NHS managers are amongst the best in the world when tested against a strong field from the international and private sector.
"David's appointment will be a real boost for the morale of NHS managers as many themselves embark upon new positions in reconfigured NHS organisations.
"I am personally delighted by David Nicholson's appointment. I have known him for many years and have watched with interest as he has risen within the service.
"Not only is David a man of real intellect and passion for the NHS, but he also has a real understanding of what now needs to be done to build upon the excellent work started by Sir Ian Carruthers to tackle the underlying problems in the NHS."
Former chief executive Nigel Crisp had also held the post of NHS Permanent Secretary, the civil servant head of the Department of Health, a dual role which many said had made his position impossible.
The roles have been separated once again, with Hugh Taylor becoming Acting Permanent Secretary ahead of a decision on a permanent appointment.
