Primary care hubs proponent confirmed as NHS England chair

Health secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed the appointment of Dr Penny Dash as the new NHS England chair.

She is currently chair of North West London ICB, which came under fire last year after Pulse revealed its plans to effectively mandate the use of same-day hubs by introducing them to the ‘single offer’ of enhanced services for GP practices.

Her appointment had been subject to scrutiny by the Health and Social Care Committee, which took place last week. During her hearing, Dr Dash recognised GPs’ ‘frustration’ about underfunding and said the profession is ‘crying out for change’ such as new neighbourhood teams. 

And she said that redirecting NHS funding from hospitals to GP practices is ‘not straightforward’ and will happen ‘slowly over time’.

Her appointment comes as NHS England’s chief executive Amanda Pritchard resigned last week, indicating that she was not the right person to lead the organisation during the Government’s planned reforms.

Dr Dash – briefly an NHS doctor but with a long history in management consultancy and policy roles – also led the damning review of the CQC which found ‘significant failings’, including that there is a ‘lack of consistency’ and transparency in ratings of GP surgeries.

Before taking up her current leadership position at NWL ICB in 2021, Dr Dash was a senior partner at the management consultancy McKinsey for many years, and she had also been head of strategy for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the early 2000s.

Dr Dash will replace current NHSE chair Richard Meddings – who had an extensive background in the financial services sector before taking on the role – on 1 April for a four-year term.

Confirming the appointment today, Mr Streeting described Dr Dash as a ‘radical reformer, with the skills and experience we need to help fix our broken NHS and make it fit for the future’.

‘I look forward to working with her as we continue to tackle the waiting list backlog, unleash innovation in health services, and support our healthcare staff to deliver the timely care patients deserve.’

Dr Dash said she was ‘honoured’ by the appointment’.

‘I am excited to start working with my NHS colleagues and the government to accelerate the process of renewal and rebuilding to make sure the NHS continues to serve the needs of its communities and its staff. The 10-Year Health Plan is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the NHS to take on the challenges of the future and I look forward to playing my part.’

Pulse revealed last year that NWL ICB had paid almost £1m to management consultants to support with primary care strategies since 2019.

This included over £650,000 to KPMG in 2023/24 to come up with its same-day access hubs strategy, which has since been shelved due to backlash from GPs and patients.

Since scrapping the proposal last year, NWL ICB has asked GP practices to come up with plans to increase activity by 10% in order to access the funding originally intended for same-day hubs.