Nicholson to step down as NHS leader
pharmafile | May 23, 2013 | News story | Sales and Marketing | Francis report, Mid Staffs, NHS, Nicholson
Sir David Nicholson is to retire from his post as chief executive of NHS England in March 2014.
Sir David has been at the helm during one of the most tumultuous periods in NHS history, but has outlasted four health secretaries in his seven years in the top job, and 35 years in the health service.
He was NHS chief executive for almost seven years, but switched to the new role of chief executive of the NHS Commissioning Board (now known as NHS England) in April this year.
Nicholson has been credited with bringing greater financial stability to the system, but his connection with the scandal surrounding patient safety in Mid Staffs, which hit the headlines early this year, has badly damaged his reputation.
Sir David’s greatest achievement is probably in keeping the NHS on track despite the huge disruption caused by twin challenges – the huge £20 billion QIPP cost savings programme launched in 2009 and massive government reforms of England’s health service, first announced in 2010.
The health service has coped with these intense pressures so far, with Nicholson praised for maintaining stability by keeping a firm ‘grip’ on NHS finances. He is also credited for helping to interpret the hugely complex and controversial reforms put forward by the then health secretary Andrew Lansley, making them more workable and acceptable to frontline staff.
But Nicholson’s reputation has been badly damaged by the scandal surrounding the Mid Staffs hospital, where neglect of patients and high death rates went undetected by the health service watchdog and hierarchy between 2005 and 2009.
In February when the long-awaited report into the scandal was published, Nicholson faced a barrage of calls for his resignation, including from patient campaigner Julie Bailey, who helped bring the scandal to light.
Nicholson successfully resisted these calls for his resignation, and received the backing of health secretary Jeremy Hunt, but it seems likely that this attack on his reputation has hastened his departure from the post.
In a letter to Professor Malcolm Grant, chair of NHS England, Sir David said: “I have only ever had one ambition and that is to improve the quality of care for patients. I still passionately believe in what NHS England intends to do. My hope is that by being clear about my intentions now will give the organisation the opportunity to attract candidates of the very highest calibre, so they can appoint someone who will be able to see this essential work through to its completion.”
Nicholson said he would continue to be the “staunchest advocate of the NHS” and he paid tribute to the work of NHS staff, whose efforts he said had been ‘nothing short of heroic’ amid reform and the budget squeeze.
Professor Malcolm Grant said: “Sir David’s career within the NHS over 35 years has been exceptional, and his leadership through the radical changes in the NHS of the past two years has been absolutely fundamental to their success. In particular, the establishment, set-up and launch of NHS England has been an immensely difficult task, undertaken by Sir David concurrently with leading the NHS in its former guise. Thanks to Sir David’s leadership we are now in as good a position as we could be to take on the challenges that lie ahead.”
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Under Sir David Nicholson’s leadership, NHS waiting times have fallen, infection rates reduced, and mixed sex accommodation is at an all-time low. His job has often been incredibly complex and very difficult, and yet he has always had a reputation for staying calm, and maintaining a relentless focus on what makes a difference on the NHS frontline. I am also grateful to him for overseeing the successful setting up of NHS England and giving us an orderly period in which to select his successor.”
Chris Ham, chief executive of The King’s Fund said: “David Nicholson has led the NHS with passion, energy and distinction for seven years. He is an NHS man to his core – his departure will mark the end of an era.”
Ham added that the ‘significant improvements in performance’ seen during Nicholson’s tenure was a great testament to his leadership. “Although initially not an enthusiast for the present government’s reforms, he has led their implementation with characteristic assurance and successfully managed the transition to the new health system – a significant feat in a challenging financial climate.”
Chris Ham concluded: “With fundamental change essential if the NHS is to meet the challenges of the future, his successor will inherit a very demanding job.”
Andrew McConaghie
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