NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard has stepped down from her role. Ms Pritchard – who has come in for criticism from MPs in recent weeks – said it had been “an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in its history”.

Her departure comes less than a month after two House of Commons committees discussed her suitability to lead the NHS.

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard has resigned. In a statement on Tuesday, Pritchard said it had been a “hugely difficult decision for me to stand down”. She added: “It has been an enormous privilege to lead the NHS in England through what has undoubtedly been the most difficult period in its history.