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NHS Medical Director Stephen Powis Announces Retirement After Seven Years

Powis, a key figure during the Covid-19 pandemic, will step down in July as NHS leadership undergoes significant changes.

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Professor Sir Stephen Powis is set to retire after eight years in the job in which he helped navigate the NHS through Covid

Overview

  • Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's National Medical Director, will retire in July after serving for over seven years.
  • His departure follows the resignation of NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard last week, signaling a broader leadership transition.
  • Powis played a prominent role during the Covid-19 pandemic, appearing at numerous government briefings and offering critical guidance to the public and staff.
  • Health Secretary Wes Streeting has emphasized plans for tighter government oversight of the NHS, including leadership restructuring and workforce reductions.
  • Powis's tenure included advocacy for tighter regulation of weight-loss drugs and warnings about the risks of unregulated cosmetic procedures.