Overview

• Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, will leave his role in July 2025 after more than seven years in post.
• Powis became a prominent public figure during the Covid-19 pandemic, appearing at numerous government press briefings and overseeing the rollout of the first vaccine outside clinical trials.
• His resignation follows the recent announcement by Amanda Pritchard, NHS England's chief executive, that she will also be stepping down, raising concerns about a leadership gap in the organization.
• Powis emphasized that his decision to step down was long-planned and unrelated to Pritchard's departure, expressing confidence in the leadership of her interim successor, Sir Jim Mackey.
• During his tenure, Powis was a vocal advocate for patient safety and public health, addressing issues such as cosmetic surgery risks, weight-loss drug regulations, and misinformation spread by influencers.