Simon Stevens to quit as NHS England chief executive

NHS England head Sir Simon Stevens is to step down as chief executive at the end of July, the the country's health service said.

A statement said: "The Queen has been pleased to confer a peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Sir Simon Stevens, upon him stepping down as chief executive of NHS England," reports the Telegraph.

In a statement through NHS England, Sir Simon said: "Joining the health service in my early twenties was one of the best decisions I've ever made, followed three decades later by the privilege of leading the NHS through some of the toughest challenges in its history."

"The people of this country have rightly recognised the extraordinary service of NHS staff during this terrible pandemic, as well as the success of our Covid vaccination deployment. As the pandemic recedes in this country, the NHS's track record in advancing medical progress in a way that works for everyone rightly continues to inspire young people to join one of the greatest causes - health and high quality care for all, now and for future generations."

Sir Simon Stevens on Thursday notified the NHS England Board of his decision to stand down as planned at the end of July, after more than seven years as NHS chief executive, the organisation said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sir Simon had led the NHS "with great distinction".