Dr Bartoli is to join NHSE as lead for urgent and emergency care and Benson will take up the role of national lead for neighbourhood health.

Dr Bartoli said: 'Urgent and emergency care is at the real sharp end of the health service so it's absolutely vital that we provide a high-performing service when people need it the most. Our hard-working teams on the front line do amazing, life-saving work every day, but we know that the urgent and emergency care system is coming under increasing pressure.

'Across the country we're seeing some real change and innovation in how we provide care in our emergency departments so I'm looking forward to playing a part in these developments and I'm sure some of the lessons we have learned locally will form a valuable part of these national conversations.

'I'm excited to be working with colleagues at NHS England and other NHS trusts in different areas to understand how we can better meet these challenges together.'

Sir Paul Ennals, chair of Northumbria Healthcare, said: 'Northumbria has a strong track record around the delivery of urgent and emergency care and I'm confident some of that experience, management and leadership will support national learning in this vital area.'

Benson added: ‘I'm delighted to take on this role and build on the important work led by Dr Claire Fuller. I've seen first-hand the benefits of bringing services together around communities and providing more care closer to home. I look forward to working with colleagues across the health and care system and beyond to make neighbourhood health a reality.'