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NHS boss set to retire next year | NHS boss set to retire next year |
(37 minutes later) | |
The head of the NHS in England Sir David Nicholson is retiring next year. | The head of the NHS in England Sir David Nicholson is retiring next year. |
Sir David has announced he will step down in March 2014 from his position as chief executive of NHS England. | Sir David has announced he will step down in March 2014 from his position as chief executive of NHS England. |
He has spent seven years in charge of the NHS, but in recent months has faced repeated calls to resign over his role in the Stafford Hospital scandal. | He has spent seven years in charge of the NHS, but in recent months has faced repeated calls to resign over his role in the Stafford Hospital scandal. |
He spent 10 months in charge of the local health authority in 2005 and 2006 at the height of the problems which led to hundreds of needless deaths. | He spent 10 months in charge of the local health authority in 2005 and 2006 at the height of the problems which led to hundreds of needless deaths. |
Soon after that, he was appointed NHS chief executive, before taking charge of NHS England, the body set up under the government's reforms to take charge of day-to-day running of the health service. | |
Campaigners and MPs had called for him to resign after publication of the public inquiry into the failings, which involved the neglect and abuse of vulnerable patients. | Campaigners and MPs had called for him to resign after publication of the public inquiry into the failings, which involved the neglect and abuse of vulnerable patients. |
The report published in February said the system has "betrayed" the public by putting corporate self-interest ahead of patients. | The report published in February said the system has "betrayed" the public by putting corporate self-interest ahead of patients. |
'Profound regret' | 'Profound regret' |
In March, Sir David, whose career in the NHS spans 35 years, told MPs on the Health Select Committee he was determined to carry on despite the furore over his involvement. | In March, Sir David, whose career in the NHS spans 35 years, told MPs on the Health Select Committee he was determined to carry on despite the furore over his involvement. |
But in his letter to bosses announcing his retirement, he said "recent events continue to show that on occasion the NHS can still sometimes fail patients, their families and carers". | But in his letter to bosses announcing his retirement, he said "recent events continue to show that on occasion the NHS can still sometimes fail patients, their families and carers". |
He went on to say "this continues to be a matter of profound regret to me". | He went on to say "this continues to be a matter of profound regret to me". |
He also said by giving such notice he hoped to give NHS England time to recruit a high calibre successor while continuing to give stability while the changes, which came into force in April, bed in. | He also said by giving such notice he hoped to give NHS England time to recruit a high calibre successor while continuing to give stability while the changes, which came into force in April, bed in. |
NHS England chairman Professor Malcolm Grant praised his "exceptional" career and leadership in recent years. | NHS England chairman Professor Malcolm Grant praised his "exceptional" career and leadership in recent years. |
"I should like to express my personal appreciation for all Sir David's support and guidance to date. | |
"And I know that I speak on behalf of the whole board when I stress how much we welcome Sir David's commitment to continuing to lead NHS England over the coming year in delivering on our challenging agenda." | |
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt added: "Under Sir David Nicholson's leadership, NHS waiting times have fallen, infection rates reduced, and mixed sex accommodation is at an all-time low. | Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt added: "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." | "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." |
But Julie Bailey, from the campaign group Cure the NHS, which has led the calls for the under-fire boss to resign, said that his position had been untenable since the publication of the public inquiry. | But Julie Bailey, from the campaign group Cure the NHS, which has led the calls for the under-fire boss to resign, said that his position had been untenable since the publication of the public inquiry. |
"It is fantastic news. This is the start of the cure for the NHS. | "It is fantastic news. This is the start of the cure for the NHS. |
"We can start to look to the future now. He was part of the problem - not part of the solution. | "We can start to look to the future now. He was part of the problem - not part of the solution. |
"We now need a leader who will galvanise and inspire the front line, not bully them." | "We now need a leader who will galvanise and inspire the front line, not bully them." |