Amanda Pritchard appointed NHS’ Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive of NHS Improvement

5 Jun 2019 12:19 PM

We are delighted to announce today that Amanda Pritchard has been appointed as the NHS’ Chief Operating Officer (COO). She is currently Chief Executive of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. The appointment follows an open competitive selection process and Amanda will take up post full time on 31 July.

The new NHS chief operating officer post is directly accountable to the NHS chief executive Simon Stevens, and serves as a member of the combined NHS England /NHS Improvement national leadership team. The COO oversees NHS operational performance and delivery, as well as implementation of the service transformation and patient care improvements set out in the NHS Long Term Plan. The COO is also accountable to the NHSI Board as NHS Improvement’s designated accountable officer with regulatory responsibility for Monitor.

Simon Stevens said: 

“This important appointment is integral to creating the newly combined NHS England and NHS Improvement, able to lead the next phase of the NHS’ development. Amanda will play a critical role in supporting further progress on quality of care, health outcomes and efficiency, as well as operational performance and delivery.”

Amanda Pritchard said: 

“It is a huge privilege to be joining NHS England and NHS Improvement at this exciting time and to have the opportunity to influence the NHS agenda and help deliver the Long Term Plan. In doing so, I know that I will draw upon my experience leading Guy’s and St Thomas’ where our strong values and focus on the needs of our patients and staff is always at the heart of decision making.”

Amanda joined the NHS through its graduate management training scheme in 1997 and has held a variety of NHS management posts since then including at West Middlesex Hospital, and as Deputy Chief Executive of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. She has also served as health team leader in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit. Amanda currently also serves as chair of the Shelford Group of teaching hospitals and is a trustee of the NHS Providers trade association.

Chair of NHS Improvement Baroness Dido Harding said: 

“I’m delighted to welcome Amanda as NHS Chief Operating Officer/NHS Improvement chief executive. She has a fantastic track record as CEO of one of the largest trusts and will bring tremendous leadership and operational experience as we implement the NHS Long Term Plan.”

Chair of Guy’s and St Thomas’ Sir Hugh Taylor said: 

“This is a great honour for Amanda and good news for the NHS.  Amanda has played an active leadership role in the wider health system here in south east London, so understands the need for new ways of working that move beyond traditional organisational boundaries. While we will miss her talent, energy and vision, Amanda will be a great asset to the national team.”