Diwakar to step down as national clinical transformation director

Breaking news: Dr Vin Diwakar will step down as national clinical transformation director at NHS England to join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) as joint chief medical officer. Diwakar, a consultant paediatrician in Birmingham, joined NHSE in 2016 as London’s regional medical director, played a central role in developing its clinical leadership community and leading the capital through the Covid-19 pandemic. He later became medical director for secondary care and transformation, before being asked to be interim national director of transformation in 2023. Reflecting on his time at NHSE, Diwakar said: “I am proud of what we have achieved together: improving the lives of diverse communities by creating the conditions in which staff can deliver outstanding integrated, compassionate patient-centred services driven by the best clinical leadership, research, innovation, education and technology. “I look forward to joining a fabulous board at MFT – one of the biggest trusts in the country with huge ambitions to deliver for communities in a great global city.” During his time at NHSE, Diwakar, has led programmes including NHS Impact, virtual wards, diagnostic transformation, the rollout of the NHS App, the federated data platform, and Electronic Patient Records and Data for Research and Development. He also chaired 10 year health plan expert working groups shaping the digital, technology, innovation and life sciences strategy for the decade ahead. Dr Diwakar’s starting date at MFT is yet to be confirmed. NHSE said that interim arrangements for leadership of the Transformation Directorate portfolio will be put in place shortly ahead of substantive recruitment as part of the Department of Health and Social Care /NHSE Transformation Programme. Sir James Mackey, chief executive at NHSE, said: “Vin has made an exceptional contribution at NHS England – first as medical director for London during the height of Covid-19, and then nationally as the driving force behind several major transformative projects like the NHS App and federated data platform. “I know he will bring the same energy and expertise to his new role at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. “Both the trust and the wider health system are gaining an outstanding leader who understands how to bring about positive change for patients and colleagues through innovation and collaboration.” Diwakar will work alongside MFT’s other joint chief medical officer, Dr Sohail Munshi, succeeding Dr Toli Onon, who is joining the Care Quality Commission. Mark Cubbon, trust chief executive for MFT, said: “Vin’s wealth of experience in national, regional and local leadership roles will be invaluable as we continue to advance patient care and clinical effectiveness for our patients and the diverse communities which we serve. “Vin’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as we renew our trust strategy to ensure we can drive forward the aims of Fit for the Future, the 10 Year Health Plan for England, and our joint working with partners to deliver significant health improvements for our patients and local residents.” It follows the announcement that Joe Harrison will leave his role as national director of the NHS App to focus on his position as chief executive of Milton Keynes University Hospital Trust.