Pritchard, who joined the organisation on secondment in 2019, sent a message to all staff marking her last day on the job.

She said: ‘NHS England and the NHS as a whole now stands at a moment of change. Change can be daunting, and I know that for many colleagues right now it presents the potential for real personal impact. But change has been the story of the NHS for its entire history.

‘And that history tells us that – while it will be challenging – there is every reason to believe that change will be positive for patients and will be worth the hard work of all those who will deliver it.'

She added: ‘Looking to the future, the 10-Year Health Plan is a huge opportunity for the NHS and for the country and while today is my last day at NHS England, it is not my last day as part of the NHS. So, I look forward to continuing to work with many of you as we rise to the challenges and opportunities ahead.'

Pritchard is to become the next chief executive of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.