Final press notice: Sir Nigel Crisp steps down from DH

Sir Nigel Crisp today announced that he is to step down from his post as Chief Executive of the NHS and Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health at the end of the month.

He is to take early retirement after more than five years in one of the most challenging jobs in Whitehall, during which he oversaw the implementation of the first half of the ten-year NHS Plan.

In a message to NHS and departmental staff, Sir Nigel said:

“I have been privileged to serve as Chief Executive of the NHS and Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health for more than five years. So it is with pride, as well as sadness, that I announce my retirement.

“Looking back over the last five years, I am proud that the NHS has achieved or exceeded the challenging targets it has been set. Over this period, people have made enormous changes in the NHS.

“Where it matters, at the front-line, the old hierarchies are breaking down and outdated practices are changing.

“But not everything has gone well. I am particularly saddened by the difficulties we have had over the last few months and the financial problems we are grappling with. As Chief Executive, I wish to acknowledge my accountability for problems just as I may take some credit for achievements.

“Looking forward, I have concluded that, despite these problems, the timing of my retirement is right for the NHS. We have built a good foundation but this is a very big moment of change. The NHS needs a Chief Executive who can give leadership over several more years. My departure will allow new leaders to be appointed at the same time in the Department, in Strategic Health Authorities and in Primary Care Trusts, to work together to continue reform and improvement.”

Sir Nigel, 54, joined the NHS in 1986, and held a variety of senior managerial positions, including Chief Executive of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital and Regional Director for London. He was appointed to his current post in November 2000, and became the first civil servant to combine the previously separate roles of Head of a Government department and head of the NHS.

Following Sir Nigel’s retirement, Sir Ian Carruthers will become Acting Chief Executive of the NHS, and Hugh Taylor will become Acting Permanent Secretary of the Department.

Patricia Hewitt, Health Secretary, said: “Sir Nigel has served the NHS and the Department of Health with great distinction. I have enjoyed working with him since I became Secretary of State, and I am very grateful to him for driving the huge improvements we have seen in patient care over the last five years.

“He has successfully led the health service through the first half of the Government’s ambitious programme of investment and reform. This has secured the shortest waiting times in a generation, with more beds, more hospitals, more doctors and more nurses than ever before. By putting patients first, and introducing more and more choice for consumers and users, we are changing the culture of the NHS for the better, for good.

“As a result of Sir Nigel’s efforts, the Department has become a role model for the successful delivery of public services. On a personal level I regret his decision announced today, but I respect his integrity and wish him well for the future.”

Notes to editors:

For media inquiries, please contact the DH media centre on 020 7210 5221.

Sir Nigel recently announced a series of management changes at the Department of Health following a review of its top structure and capability. This included an expansion of the Departmental Board.

At the same time, Sir Nigel also appointed 11 transitional leads to run clusters of Strategic Health Authorities, pending the outcome of public consultations on proposed changes to SHA areas.

As part of this package, Sir Ian Carruthers, 55, was appointed to the DH Board as Acting Director of Commissioning. One of the most experienced NHS managers, he has a track-record of leading organisational change, improving standards for patients and delivering balanced budgets. Sir Ian has been Chief Executive of the Dorset and Strategic Health Authority (SHA), and Chief Executive of the and the SHA.

Hugh Taylor, 55, is Group Director of Strategy and Business Development at the DH. A career civil servant, he joined the Department in 1998 and was previously at the Home Office and Cabinet Office.

A list of NHS achievements during Sir Nigel’s time in post is attached, and copies of Sir Nigel’s correspondence with Gus O’Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary.

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