Dr Hayter, who is currently medical director for clinical policy at the Royal College of General Practitioners, brings more than three decades of frontline clinical and national leadership experience to the role.

‘I am honoured to be joining NICE as chief medical officer at such a critical time for health and care,' Dr Hayter said.

‘As a GP, I rely on NICE guidance every day to make sure my patients receive the best evidence-based care, from prescribing decisions to managing long-term conditions.

‘I know first-hand how vital it is that NICE's guidance is not only independent, but developed in a way that allows clinicians to deliver the best possible care, and I am committed to ensuring NICE continues to play its full part in a health system that must keep evolving to meet the needs of patients and the public.

‘My ambition is to ensure NICE continues to drive innovation into the hands of clinicians and commissioners, delivering real improvements in health outcomes while making the best use of the resources available to the NHS.'

Professor Jonathan Benger, chief executive of NICE, said: ‘As NICE expands its role under the 10-Year Health Plan, our ability to deliver for patients will depend on the strength of our relationships with the royal colleges, professional bodies and our key system partners, including NHS England, the MHRA and the CQC.

‘Adrian's ability to forge and sustain those relationships will be invaluable as we work together to get the best evidence-based care to patients fast, while ensuring value for the taxpayer.'