Ex-TSB boss is most popular candidate for NHS England chairman position

A banker is ready to change into the brand new chairman of NHS England in a bid to make it extra “accountable” for its funding.

The Division of Well being and Social Care confirmed former TSB chairman Richard Meddings is the Authorities’s most popular candidate for the position on Thursday.

The Day by day Telegraph reported that ministers needed Mr Meddings to supply an “outdoors eye” to make the NHS accountable for its extra funding, and mentioned the Authorities was anxious to determine a “heavyweight” from the personal sector with expertise in digital and information, to be able to assist the NHS make higher use of applied sciences.

The NHS nonetheless depends on paper information at a few of its hospitals.

Well being and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid has invited the Well being and Social Care Committee to carry a pre-appointment scrutiny listening to with Mr Meddings.

The position of chairman with NHS England will change into out there when Lord Prior of Brampton steps down early subsequent 12 months.

The Telegraph additionally reported that Cupboard ministers harassed their expectation that the NHS should obtain worth for cash after an extra £5.5 billion was channelled in the direction of it for the second half of 2021 and a nationwide insurance coverage enhance is ready to fund an additional £12 billion for it subsequent 12 months.

As chairman of TSB, Mr Meddings oversaw what he described as “its most difficult 12 months” in 2018 when it accrued losses of £104.5 million.

The migration of its IT system value the financial institution £330.2 million, with larger expenses associated to buyer compensation, extra assets and fraud.

Round 80,000 clients switched their checking account away from TSB the identical 12 months.

Mr Meddings can also be a non-executive director at HM Treasury and Credit score Suisse and is the previous group finance director for Normal Chartered financial institution.

The Division of Well being and Social Care mentioned he was chosen as most popular chair after an open public appointment course of.

Following the choose committee listening to, it is going to then set out its views on his suitability for the position of chair and the Secretary of State will then think about the committee’s report earlier than making a ultimate choice.