NHS Confederation chief executive to step down

The chief executive of the NHS Confederation, Niall Dickson is to step down after four years in the role.

The NHS Confederation said Mr Dickson will leave his post in October and the current deputy chief executive Danny Mortimer, who is also chief executive of NHS Employers, will take over on an interim basis.

Interim arrangements for NHS Employers will be confirmed shortly.

As chief executive since the start of 2017, Mr Dickson has steered the Confederation through a challenging period as it has supported its members in coping with the impact of a decade of austerity, rapidly rising demand, Brexit and, now, the unprecedented impact of the pandemic.

He has also been passionate about the need to support social care and was responsible for setting up and leading the Health for Care coalition, which has brought together 15 national organisations in health to campaign for social care reform.

Mr Dickson has also ensured the Confederation has used its convening powers to bring together organisations from across the health and care system on issues of common concern to protect the interests of health services and patients.

The Confederation established and led both the Brexit Health Alliance and the Cavendish Coalition, which have not only raised the profile of health issues in the Brexit negotiations but have influenced the UK government as well as key players in Europe.

‘It has been a privilege to serve the Confederation and its members over the last few years and I am confident the organisation and what it stands for will continue to grow and develop in the years ahead,’ said Mr Dickson.

‘It has also been an honour to work with our members – the health service is fortunate in having a group of dedicated and forward-looking leaders who too often are not recognised for what they achieve.

‘A new generation is emerging with the confidence, the ability and the vision to protect and transform this great British institution, and I know the Confederation is committed to doing everything it can to support them to succeed,’ he added.

Photo Credit – NHS Confederation