Granger to leave in transition by end of 2007

Connecting for Health chief executive, Richard Granger is to leave the agency responsible for delivering the National Programme for IT to the NHS in England 'during the latter part of this year.'

In a personal statement issued today, he said he would ‘transition’ from his full time post at the agency he was largely responsible for setting up.

The controversial and outspoken IT boss who joined the NHS from Deloitte Consulting  in September 2002 will return to work primarily in the private sector during 2008. The statement says he is currently considering several significant approaches.

He said: "My decision should be seen in the context of the changing role of the centre of the NHS and the fact that when I took on this challenge I said I would give this job five years.”

"I am proud of what has been achieved by the team I established following my appointment in October 2002. I passionately believe that the programme will deliver ever greater levels of benefit to patients over the coming years.

“There remain a number of challenges ahead, but I firmly believe that the leadership of the programme by Lord Hunt, David Nicholson and my colleagues within CfH will ensure these hurdles are overcome. I want to acknowledge the enduring professional support I have received from my team and colleagues throughout the NHS. "

The statement said that in due course an announcement regarding the identification of a successor and transitional arrangements will be made by the Department of Health.

Health minister Lord Hunt said: "I would like to thank Richard Granger for his hard work and tremendous achievements in delivering the National Programme for IT for the NHS and wish him luck for the future. Richard will continue to lead Connecting for Health during the transition period, which we expect to be the late part of the year, and his decision will not affect the delivery of the NHS IT programme.”