The Health Foundation podcast 54: Abolishing NHS England: a chat with outgoing chair Richard Meddings
May 6, 2025
36:17
‘Today we are abolishing the biggest quango in the world,’ – Wes Streeting, 13 March 2025
Many people were surprised by the government’s decision to abolish NHS England and fold its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care. Not least Richard Meddings, Chair of NHS England since 2022. Having formally completed his term in March, Richard joins our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon to discuss.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Richard reflects on his time at NHS England and how the organisation has changed. With the NHS facing growing demand for care, and continuing to top the public’s list of priorities, where does the forthcoming 10-year health plan need to focus? How should ministers lead the service in the future? And what needs to happen to ensure the NHS reaches its 100th year?
Show notes
The Health Foundation (2020). Glaziers and window breakers. Former health secretaries in their own words.
OECD (2025). How do health system features influence health system performance?
Department of Health and Social Care (2023). The Hewitt Review: an independent review of integrated care systems.
The Health Foundation (2025). Taking a chainsaw to NHS England is not the sign of a healthy state.
The Health Foundation (2025). Labour’s 10-year plan for the NHS in England: what should it look like?
NHS England (2025). Review of NHS performance and delivery (27 March 2025). NHS England board meeting.
Many people were surprised by the government’s decision to abolish NHS England and fold its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care. Not least Richard Meddings, Chair of NHS England since 2022. Having formally completed his term in March, Richard joins our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon to discuss.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Richard reflects on his time at NHS England and how the organisation has changed. With the NHS facing growing demand for care, and continuing to top the public’s list of priorities, where does the forthcoming 10-year health plan need to focus? How should ministers lead the service in the future? And what needs to happen to ensure the NHS reaches its 100th year?
Show notes
The Health Foundation (2020). Glaziers and window breakers. Former health secretaries in their own words.
OECD (2025). How do health system features influence health system performance?
Department of Health and Social Care (2023). The Hewitt Review: an independent review of integrated care systems.
The Health Foundation (2025). Taking a chainsaw to NHS England is not the sign of a healthy state.
The Health Foundation (2025). Labour’s 10-year plan for the NHS in England: what should it look like?
NHS England (2025). Review of NHS performance and delivery (27 March 2025). NHS England board meeting.