NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens has today announced the appointment of three frontline NHS leaders to strengthen NHS England’s work on primary care, drive improved cancer services, and lead the commissioning of specialised hospital services.

Announcing these appointments in a speech at the Kings Fund, Simon Stevens said: “These exceptionally high calibre new appointments will strengthen NHS England’s national leadership and its connection with frontline delivery, helping turbo-charge implementation of the Five Year Forward View.”

Dr Arvind Madan becomes NHS England’s Director of Primary Care providing clinical leadership for the transformation of primary care provision. Dr Madan is a practising GP based at the Hurley Group, a large multi-site general practice and urgent care provider. He will retain a regular clinical commitment looking after patients in East London, but will step down from his current role as CEO of Hurley Innovations. In his new role he will also serve as a deputy national medical director to Sir Bruce Keogh. Dr Madan has a strong track record of using new technology and redesigned ways of working across care boundaries to improve outcomes and deliver better value for money.

Cally Palmer has been appointed to NHS England as NHS National Cancer Director. She will lead the implementation of the NHS Cancer Taskforce’s five year strategy for cancer care improvement, as well as new cancer Vanguards using outcomes-based commissioning to redesign care and the patient experience. Ms Palmer is Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and will retain this role while seconded to NHS England.

Dr Jonathan Fielden is appointed NHS England’s new Director of Specialised Commissioning. He will lead the national specialised commissioning function within NHS England and lead the development of the national strategy for specialised services. He will also serve as a deputy national medical director to Sir Bruce Keogh. Dr Fielden is currently Medical Director of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,  a consultant in intensive care medicine and member of a CCG governing body.

All three posts were advertised externally and subject to open competition.